James Louis Hemphill, M.D., 72, passed away Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital, Knoxville, Tn. He grew up in Bruce, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Alpha Epsion Delta Honorary Fraternity.
He received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School, where he was a member of Phi Chi Professional Fraternity. He served his internship at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga. He did his residency at the University of Tennessee Hospital in Memphis.
He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps where he served as a surgeon for the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. He was the recipient of the Naval Medal of Commendation. Dr. Hemphill started his OB/GYN medical practice in Knoxville in 1971 and continued until his retirement in 2005. He was a member of the Tennessee Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Board of OB/GYN. He was a member of The South Central OB/GYN Society of which he served as president in 2001.
Dr. Hemphill was of a member of Saint John’s Cathedral and Cherokee Country Club. He was preceded in death by his father, Hubert Hemphill, and his mother, Gladys Hemphill Ingram, both of Bruce.
He survived by his wife, Martha Bacon Hemphill; two daughters, Martha Bentel Hemphill and Margaret Taylor Hemphill. He is also survived by his cousin Dr. James Lee Thorton of New Albany; and by his sister-in law Mary McGee and her husband John McGee of Lookout Mountain, Tn. A memorial service will be held at Saint John’s Cathedral Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013 at 4 p.m., followed by the receiving of friends in the Great Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint John’s Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37902.