Ruth Hammond

Ruth Hammond VIRGINIA BEACH - On Sunday morning, Oct. 17, 2010, her Lord and Savior called Garnett Ruth C. Hammond, born July 27, 1938, home to be with Him. For two years she had been fighting and battling her fourth cancer. She spent the last two years bedridden in her home. During the whole time, not once did she lose faith, and remained in high spirits and strong willed. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Orville L. Hammond; her children, Woodrow McFaden, Wayne Hammond, Keith Hammond, Diana Fish, and Denise Faye Harmon; stepchildren, Beth Marshall, Cathey Hammond, Earnie Hammond, and Debbie Latta; 18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, four sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was born in North Carolina and was raised in Norfolk, and lived the rest of her life in Virginia Beach. She was predeceased by her stepfather and mother, Bural and Ruth Allen; a sister, Gale and two nieces, Cindy and Sharron. She was a member of 14 years at Faith Temple Church in Norfolk. She was employed by Anchor Canteen and worked in the cafe at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk for 22 years. She was not just a cashier but was considered a legend. She never once missed a day of work, no matter how sick she was. She felt blessed and honored to work at a job and with many people she dearly loved. She dedicated a lot of her time to cancer charities and benefits for cancer research, such as Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. She was very courageous and strong willed. She was a great inspiration to many people who were fighting to overcome their battle with cancer. The viewing will be held Thursday, Oct. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 East Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23502. The funeral will be Friday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Garden. The family will be hosting friends and family after the service at Faith Temple Church, 1173 George St., (stoplight diagonal from the funeral home), Norfolk. The church will be providing food and drinks. A donation has been set up by numerous people in honor of Ruth Hammond to help with medical and funeral costs. Donations may be sent to Norfolk Postal Credit Union, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, VA 23510.