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JOSEPH HAMMONS Mr. Joseph L. ÒJoeÓ Hammons, 89, of Heidrick, passed away Thursday afternoon, February 26, 2009 in the Knox County Hospital. He was a son of the late John H. and Amelia Fisher Hammons born on June 21, 1919 at Heidrick. Mr. Hammons was a retired backhoe operator from the Barbourville Water and Electric Company and a member of the Heidrick Holiness Church where he served as a board member. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a KY Colonel. Mr. Hammons enjoyed bird hunting and farming. On March 9, 1940, he united in marriage with Esther Smith in Barbourville and to this union four children were born. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dwaine Hammons; four brothers, Jess Hammons and wife, Effie, Matt Hammons and wife, Jean, Hobert Hammons and wife, Maggie, and Elmer Hammons; three sisters, Mayme Cole and husband, Foyester, Florence Kinder and husband, Granvil, and Katherine Hammons; three brothers-in-law, Elmer Smith, Ellis Smith and wife, Maxine, and Ernest Smith and wife, Blanche; and two sisters-in-law, Lucy Smith Cobb and husband, Dewey and Edith Smith Burton and husband, Lloyd. Survivors include his wife, Esther Hammons of Heidrick; three children, Ronny Hammons and wife, Etta, of Columbus, OH, Joella Prince and husband, Curtis, of Louisville and Marva Davis and husband, Larry, of Barbourville; a daughter-in-law, Pauline Hammons of Barbourville; seven grandchildren, Dr. Jeffery Hammons and wife, Julie, Barry Hammons and wife, KC, Darrell Hammons and wife, Kristy, Suzi Weber and husband, Greg, Brent Prince and wife, Stephanie, Jennifer North and husband, Dan, and Jessica Conner and husband, Aaron; two step granddaughters, Bonnie Schmidt and Kim Kosto and husband, David; 10 great grandchildren, Gregory, Stewart, Jared, Justin, Grant, Dylan, Josie, Lillian, Addison and Preston; eight step great grandchildren, Kyle, David, Kelsey, Caitlyn, Zach, Drew, Leah and Morgan; a special family friend, who was like a daughter, Dianna Wagers; a caregiver, Janet Davis; several nieces and nephews; among other loved ones and dear friends. His funeral service was conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Sunday, March 1 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Tommy Frazier, Dr. Ted Satterfield, Rev. Duke Hammons and Rev. Josh Smith officiating. He was laid to rest in the W. H. Smith Cemetery with military funeral honors by the American Legion. Casket bearers were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Honorary bearers were Clofas Sams, Denver Mills, Charles Fisher, Gooder McWilliams, David Lundy, Calvin Morris, Dennis Morris, Mark Moran, Dr. James West, Dorothy Cobb, Gorman ValentineÕs family and members of the Heidrick Holiness Church. Honorary ministers were Rev. Mervial Newman, Rev. Herbie Hoskins, Rev. Sylvester Dunn, Rev. Ellis Smith Jr., Rev. Garrett Garland, Rev. Mann Cobb, Rev. Vernon Morris and Rev. Bobby Abner. Expressions of sympathy may go to the Heidrick Holiness Church or the AlzheimerÕs Association in loving memory of Mr. Hammons. Arrangements were under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home. |