Shirley Jean Hampton, 85, of Rexburg, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, June 12, 2026. She was under the care of Homestead Hospice.

She was born to Rex Joseph and Vira Marie Hall Jensen on October 30, 1940, in Burton, Madison County, Idaho.

She grew up in a farming family where she learned to work hard and do well from a young age. She graduated from Madison High School in 1958. She then attended Ricks College for a year before returning home to care for her mother, whose health was beginning to decline. She later would earn an associate’s degree from Ricks College, then complete a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1967 from Utah State University. She later went on to earn a master’s degree from Idaho State University in 1978.

Shirley had a long and successful career as an elementary school teacher and later principal, working in the Idaho Falls schools for 33 years. She always enjoyed working with her students, especially teaching social studies and science. Her leadership as a principal ensured quality education opportunities for generations of students.

She married Errol Stephenson in 1961, though the marriage didn’t last. Her son, Blake, was born in 1962, and she raised him among her family. On June 10, 1989, she married Maynard Hampton in the Idaho Falls Temple. She describes this time as the “most wonderful time of my life.” They had a beautiful life together. They enjoyed building their lives together in Idaho Falls and taking many trips to see famous places and visit their family.

She credits her parents with teaching her to work hard, always doing what needed to be done, even when it meant more than what others would do. She was also a woman of strong faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and extensively studied her scriptures and the words of the current leaders. She had a talent for both embroidery and gardening. She loved to make her home a special place, a beautiful space for her family and visitors. She was beloved and will be dearly missed.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Brenda (Kent) Warner; brother-in-law Dallas (Jerrolyn) Beck; daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Blake) Stephenson; four granddaughters: Shannon (Jerald) Johnson, Amanda (TC) Knutson, Michelle (Mark) Nicholl, and Johie King; and eight great-grandchildren. Through her marriage to Maynard Hampton, she is survived by her stepchildren: Jan (Ron) Newby, LaDell (Joann) Hampton, Nancy (Robert) Casias, and Richard (Cathy) Hampton.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Vira Jensen; her sisters, Jolene Jensen and Jerrolyn Beck; her brothers, Lawrence Jensen and Howard Jensen; her husband, Maynard Hampton; and her son, Blake Stephenson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. A viewing will be held from 5-7:00 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, at Coltrin Mortuary and one hour prior to the services. Interment will be held at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.