Martha H. Hammond

Martha Jane Hamilton Hammond passed away August 26, 2012, at Highland Home in Ridgeland, MS. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, MS, with Visitation preceding at 9:00 AM. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, August 28, at Broadmoor. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona, MS, following the funeral on Wednesday.

Martha Jane Hamilton was born March 4, 1925, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Jack Lansford and Connie Billingsley Hamilton, of Grenada County and Montgomery County, MS.

Martha's father Jack died in 1929, and she and her mother moved back to Winona, MS, where Connie married H. E. Johnson. Martha's sister and brother were born in Winona, Rebecca Johnson in 1931 and Lawrence Johnson in 1933.

Martha grew up and attended public school in Winona. She graduated in 1942 from Winona High School, where she was valedictorian of her class and homecoming queen. She attended Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW) and graduated with honors. After college, she taught high school English briefly in Tchula, MS, and Panama City, Florida.

On May 14, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart and captain of the Winona High football team, Arnold Townsend Hammond. Martha and Arnold had four children and spent the first decade of their marriage in Winona (1949-1960). They were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Winona.

In 1960 they moved to Jackson, where they quickly became members of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Martha was active in her community, especially in school and church activities. She taught Sunday School for years at Broadmoor, where she became a favorite, loved by many.

Martha Jane Hammond loved life and learning! She excelled in her own life in many endeavors and encouraged those around her to do the same, particularly her children.

After raising four children, she returned to school and obtained her Ph.D. in English, attending Mississippi College and the University of Southern Mississippi, becoming Dr. Martha H. Hammond. She taught English for several years at Mississippi College while working on her degree and thereafter.

Martha now joins her late husband Arnold, her sister Rebecca (Johnson) Turnage, her brother Lawrence Johnson, and many wonderful family members and friends in Heaven—in the loving presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her four children: Linda (John) Bloszies of Seale, AL, Laurie (Jim) Williams of Marietta, GA, Jack Hammond of Jackson, and Lee (Carol) Hammond of Jackson; and four grandchildren: Sean Bloszies of Raleigh, NC, Ben Williams of Peachtree City, GA, and Peter and Andrew Hammond, of Jackson.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Highland Home for their dedicated and professional care.

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