Evelyn Hampton praised the Lord through song for more than 50 years.

        A cousin of the late Mahalia Jackson — one of the greatest gospel singers ever — Mrs. Hampton also had a beautiful voice, said friend Mildred Wynn of Silverton.

        She sang with the Zion Baptist Church's inspirational chorus in Avondale and was a frequent soloist for the Cooperative Choruses of Greater Cincinnati.

        Mrs. Hampton died Friday at Mercy Franciscan Hospital. The Evanston resident was 94.

        She was a “loving, caring person,” said Ms. Wynn. “She did the care for her mother and father both, who were ill at home for several years before they died. She was a Christian and made lots of friends.”

        Baptized at Zion Baptist in 1928, Mrs. Hampton spent her life in service to God through her church. She was president and treasurer of the church choir. She also founded the church's altar flower ministry, served on the senior usher board and was a charter member, and eventually first president, of the Naomi Missionary Circle.

        As a member of Zion's hospitality committee, Mrs. Hampton opened her home to out-of-town guests, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

        She was so beloved at Zion that in 1987 the church named her Mother of the Year — even though she had no children of her own.

        Evelyn Cecelia Clark was born in New Orleans in 1908, but she lived most of her life in Cincinnati. She attended Knoxville College before going to work at her parents' restaurant in the West End. Described as a culinary artist by her friends, Mrs. Hampton later worked as a caterer for Tilly's Restaurant.

        She was a member of Corinthian Chapter No. 34 O.E.S.

        Henry Hampton, her husband of 39 years, preceded her in death.

        Survivors include: two cousins, Doris Ebb of New Orleans and Lana Beasley of New York City; a niece, Rosaline Welcher of Chicago; and a goddaughter, Aimee Felder Vaughn of Seattle.

        Services have been held. Interment: Walnut Hills Cemetery.

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