Judy Hammonds
Gate City, VA | September 18, 2012Judy Hammonds, 67, of the Manville Community, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012 following a long struggle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig 's disease.
Judy was a lifelong resident of Scott County and a 1963 graduate of Rye Cove High School. She had worked at the Nickels Department Store, Herald Virginia Newspaper, Jennings Clothing and Farm Bureau. Judy always enjoyed working in her flowers. She was well known for her crafts and she decorated for a lot of weddings. She attended Bethel Apostolic church.
She was preceded in death by her father, Otis Starnes.
Survivors include her mother, Myrtle Flanary Starnes, Ridgecrest Manor, Duffield, VA, her loving and devoted husband, Don Hammonds, Gate City, VA, brothers and sisters-in –law, Jack and Sandra Starnes, Wise, VA, Teddy and Sue Starnes, Duffield, VA, two nephews and family, Steven Starnes and Donna Gibson, Duffield, VA, Jeffery and Lindsey Starnes, Madison, Ryleigh, and Baby Evan, Grundy, VA, one niece and family, Gena Scurlock, Devon, Logan, and Jacob, AZ, step daughter and family Amy and Aaron Ward, Cole Ward and Blake Hillman, Gate City, VA, special cousins, Faye Kerns and Danny Ward and wife Nancy, in-laws, Emogene and Charlie Hammonds, Gate City, VA, Brenda Flora and Mack Myers, Christiansburg, VA, Bryan and Sloan Bowen and Jarrod and Will Bowen, Cassie and Matthew, Christiansburg, VA, Lowell and Myra Hammonds, Nickelsville, VA, Stephanie, Gerald and Justin Reed, Alan and Laura Hammonds, Nickelsville, VA, and two very special young ladies, Madeline Lane and Abby Wettack.
Judy treasured her longtime friendship with Margaret and Charles Sigmond, Mike and Keltie Kerney and Clarcie Lane. Her best friends were Norma McDavid, Diana Summer, Robin Bond, Nancy Lane, Deborah Gillenwater, Janet Roach, Faye Hill, Sandra Ashworth, Rosa Tipton, Ruth Shepherd and Cathy Johnson.
Judy felt truly blessed to have the opportunity to have met so many people throughout her life that she considered her special friends, including her church family at Bethel Apostolic Church and Manville Holiness Church, her former coworkers at Farm Bureau as well as many others in the Farm Bureau organization and many current and former employees at Ridgecrest Manor.
Her illness brought many special people into her life. Judy was truly grateful to Carol Spivey for the care of and everything she did. The people with the ALS Association, Jennifer Mundy and Patient Family services Coordinator, Wanda Moser, also, Hospice and Palliative Care base in Norton VA, Diane Rose, Barbara Mosier, Reverend Gregory Sargent, Chaplin Sue Mullins and Diana Ott. They all did everything possible to make things more comfortable for Judy
.
Special Thanks to her friends of the Manville Community, especially Elizabeth Peters for all the delicious food that she prepared and walked quite a distance to deliver. A big thank you to Wayne Hammonds who brought Elizabeth to visit and for bringing loads of vegetables and canned goods. Appreciation also goes to Glenna Blankenbeckler, Martha Pendleton, Zella Peters, Eddie Spivey, Nancy Peters, Janice Gillenwater, Louise Hammonds, Billy and Bobbie Tigor, Jimmy and Phyllis Combs, and Pat and Danny Dillow for their visits and all the delicious food they brought.
God truly blessed Judy with a very special friend and caregiver, Robin Grizzle. Robin was like a daughter to Judy. They always enjoyed every day together. They cried some and laughed some but most of all, they laughed.
Judy was a true lover of animals, especially dogs. She considered her dog, Prince, a member of the family.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel, of Gate City Funeral Home, Friday, September 21, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Garland Tipton of Bethel Apostolic Church, Pastor Will Shewey of Salem United Methodist Church and Reverend Gregory Sargent of Hopsice officiating. Music will be provided by Mary Ann Williams, Rick Osborne, Ronnie Tipton and Gregory Sargent.
Pallbearers will include, Alan Hammonds, Mike Kerney, Scott Morgan, Dwayne Peters, Jeff Starnes, Steven Starnes, Danny Ward, David Wettack, Tommy Williams and Blake Hillman. Honorary pallbearers will include, Charlie Hammonds, Lowell Hammonds, Barry Flora, Dennis Jones, Jamerson Jones, Bill Peters, Ronnie Tipton, Mack Myers, Bryan Bowen Gerald Reed and Wayne Hammonds.
She requested her body to be cremated and her ashes scattered at the gravesite of her parent in the Hall Cemetery, Stanleytown, VA and at the Hammonds Cemetery on the family farm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Judy's name to; A.L.S. Association – DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD, 20855-2731.
An online guest registry is available for the Hammonds family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Judy Hammonds.
Condolences
Jackie,I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Judy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Jane (McDavid) Stoneham
Posted by: Mary (McDavid) Stoneham, October 05, 2012
Love and miss you Aunt Judy but I am glad that your suffering is over. ALS is a horrible disease and I pray that someday there will be a cure for it. Prayers for all during this time of grieving. Love all my family even though we don't see each often.
Posted by: Gena Scurlock, September 22, 2012
Teddy & Sue, and the rest of the family
Judy was a beautiful woman, inside and out; I know she is walking on those streets of gold with your daddy; What a renunion they are having; Please let me know, if you all need anything; Thinking and Praying;
Debbie Jessee
Posted by: Debbie, September 22, 2012
Don & Prince, Our Deepest Sympathy is extended to you at this time. Judy was a very special lady and she was loved by our family, especially by her Uncle Arlie Sanders. We will miss her. We will keep you in our prayers. With Love, Johnny Jr & Lisa Sanders
Posted by: Johnny Jr & Lisa Sanders, September 21, 2012
Losing a loved one is the most heart wrenching of all things. Yes Judy was a loved and beautiful person inside and out. Most of the family from the spouse side I don't know so sorry for that but Teddy my heart aches for you and still love you till this day my thoughts and prayers are with each one of you and may God hold you in his hands for the comfort you need.
Posted by: Brenda Bolling, September 21, 2012
We are saddened by your loss and you all will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless each and everyone of you.
Posted by: The Staff of Dungannon Development Commission, Inc. , September 21, 2012
Don, Sorry to hear of Judy's passing and can not fathom the grief and sorrow you may have for now. But I know that you are aware of Judy's home now and the sorrow we have for a short time will turn to joy in the morning.
This life is a life of sorrow, pain and suffering, but she is now entered into a life of joy and peace. We weep for your loss, but rejoice over where she is now.
Hope to see you soon, but until then know that you are with in this moment of sorrow and tomorrows rejoicing. Ours home, hearts and friendship are open to you when you need.
May the love of the Father, The grace and peace of the Son, Jesus Christ and the comfort and presence of the Holy Spirit be with, and around you.
John C. and Bonnie Jones, Jonesborough, Tenn.
Posted by: John C. Jones, September 20, 2012
Don —
It was good to be with you and Judy on Labor Day. She was still smiling. What a Blessing that she has had you and such loving friends to care for her during her illness. May God Bless you and Judy's family with Peace and Comfort during this time.
With love and sympathy,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon K. Johnson, September 20, 2012
Don, I'm truly saddened to learn of the passing of Judy. I knew her through my association with Farm Bureau Board of Directors in 2007 and 2008. Our conversations were most always centered around Gospel Music and I saw early on her love of the LORD ,family and friends. My thoughts and Prayers go out to each and every one of you.
Posted by: Loyd Hillman, September 20, 2012
We are so sorry to learn of Judy's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May you find comfort in the thought that someday you will be reunited to never more part and we pray that you lean on God and His great love.
with love, Edgar and Jean Hood
Posted by: Edgar and Jean Hood, September 20, 2012
Don and all the family,
I was so sorry to here of Judy's passing. I always enjoyed seeing Judy. She was always had a smile and nice word for anyone she came in contact with. I will be with my Mom and not able to come to the Funeral Home, but want you know that you all are in my prayers.
Benny Reed
Posted by: Benny Reed, September 19, 2012
Don she was a real good friend and I miss her dearly.S he is not suffering she is in Gods hands.
Posted by: Rhonda Bishop, September 19, 2012
Don, So sorry for your loss, but Judy is in a much better place than we are. No more suffering — God called and Judy answered. I have missed her greatly since she left her job. May God grant you Peace, Grace, Comfort and Understanding during your time of sorrow. Love you, Joyce
Posted by: Bill & Joyce Gilmer, September 19, 2012
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