Carrie Mae Hammond

In 1949, the Lewis family moved to Michigan for better work opportunity for William and educational opportunities for the children. Carrie grew up in several agricultural communities: Mt. Clemens, Rochester, Imlay City and Memphis. Carrie excelled and graduated as the valedictorian from Memphis Community High School.

Carrie then attended Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, where she received her RN Pin. She worked at Henry Ford Hospital and then the Visiting Nurse Association.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1965, Carrie worked for the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center and then transitioned to the Department of Public Health, working as a clinic nurse. In 1992, Carrie was awarded Nurse of the Year at the Dr. Ruth Temple Health Center.

Carrie met William Hammond in 1966, and they were married on October 21, 1978. While they did not have children, Carrie — being the eldest sister — was always supportive of her sisters and her brothers, nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Carrie was a role model for them all.

After retirement, Bill and Carrie relocated to Carlsbad, Calif. For Bill, Carrie was the “Love of His Life”, and he supported his wife in style. Carrie was very active with the New Venture Christian Fellowship Church in Oceanside until her illness.

In 2017, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum honored Carrie Lewis Hammond by including her in the Binding Wounds Exhibition showing African American contributions to our history.

Carrie was an active member of the Red Hat Society. She loved sports and knew more about basketball and football than most men. She enjoyed reading, shopping, dining out, traveling — especially cruising — and being with her family and friends.

Carrie’s precious memory is cherished by her loving siblings: Agnes Davis, HIldred Lewis, Frances Turner and Ada Lewis. She was preceded in death by siblings William Lewis, Laura Eley, Clarence Lewis and Robert Lewis and nephew Keith Eley.

Carrie’s precious memory is also cherished by her nephews and nieces: Gregory Lewis, David Lewis, Darnell Davis, Kamaura Eley, Demond Lewis, Jason Turner, Sheila Washington, Courtney Lewis and Meghan Lewis; and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces, plus a host of special cousins and special friends.