Ms Anita Faye Hammond

What can we say about our one and only sister, Anita Faye Hammond? On April 29, 1948, the third child of seven, Faye made her entry into the world, to the late Jack Dempsey and Thelma Lee (McCoy) Hammond. Although, our parents named her Anita Faye, she was affectionately called, Nita, Neet, Faye-Da Mae, Faye, Hamm, Fashion Diva, The Boss and Sassy Faye, just to name a few. She really “lived into” those last two! Faye was a Lover. She loved life. She loved her family. She loved her friends and she loved her church community. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, Menifee, Arkansas. She found joy singing in the Children’s, Youth and Young Adult Choirs, and serving as the church musician and choir director. Every church Faye joined you would always find her singing and holding down the soprano section. Although Faye never married nor had kids, she was a “Surrogate Mother” to many of us, especially Kirby, Llewellyn and me, (Kenneth), during our mother’s illness. Several nephews and nieces found their way to Faye’s home as their safe harbor during their college and formative years. She was a “Big Sister” to many of her colleagues and friends, giving them a safe harbor to land, as well. She loved to travel, shop and dine out at her favorite restaurants. Faye loved her “Pas”, Pastor Ralph D. and Serita West and her church, The Church Without Walls. Faye found her place with the music ministry where, again, she helped hold down the soprano section. Through this ministry Faye was able to find forgiveness, healing and peace. Faye was an Educator. Faye attended Conway County Training School, CCTS, in Menifee, Arkansas and graduated with honors in 1966. While in high school, Faye was selected to travel to Langston University in Oklahoma to represent our school at a Home Economics event. She attended college and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from AM&N College, (UAPB), in 1970. She found joy serving as the Secretary of the Student Government Association and the campus newspaper, “The Arkansawyer”, and being a part of the yearbook staff. Even to this day Faye remained close with many of her college friends and colleagues until the very end. Later, she received her Master in Education degree from State Teachers College, (UCA), in Conway, Arkansas. After a stint in Social Services, Faye decided to follow our Mother’s footsteps and became an Educator. I believe her teaching career began with the Little Rock School District, where she taught Special Education at Pulaski Heights Middle School and eventually Central High School. She decided to move to better opportunities and continued her teaching career with the Aldine Independent School District, where she remained teaching for the majority of her career until her retirement. Faye was a Giver. During our mother’s final years, Faye showed us the epitome of giving. She left her career and life in Houston to take care of our mother. She also made sure we ALWAYS had Christmas gifts under the tree when we were younger. She cared for and gave to many, including nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and others who were in need. Faye was a Fighter. Facing racial challenges and opposition, Faye was one of the first African-American students to attend and graduate from the graduate program at State Teacher’s College. Faye faced many health challenges for the later part of her adult life. Many times Faye was hospitalized for various illnesses and surgeries, and she always fought her way back. She jokingly earned the nickname as the “Bounce Back Queen”, and we were all praying she had one more “Bounce Back” in her. On Friday, December 2, 2022, at 4:21pm, Faye made her transition to Eternal rest, joining our parents, Jack D. and Thelma L. Hammond in glory. Faye, we all: Jackie, Tyrone and Jonia, Larry and Mary, Kirby, Llewellyn and Katherine, Kenneth, Juanita Mitchell, our surrogate mother, Aunt Geraldine Hammond, our only living aunt, ALL of your many nephews and nieces, cousins and friends, will miss you dearly. Faye, although you are no longer with us, we will never forget your loving, giving and fighting spirit. Rest on, Faye, rest on; til we meet again.

Ms Anita Faye Hammond

April 29, 1948 - December 2, 2022