Ruth E. Hammond

Ruth E. Hammond, 95, of Battle Creek went to be with her Lord & Savior on Thursday morning, December 18, 2025 at Bronson Battle Creek. She was born in Parchment, Michigan on January 31, 1930, the daughter of Marion C. and Rhea E. (Porter) Smith.

Ruth married Robert C. Hammond on October 11, 1947; he preceded her in death on May 9, 2011. She is survived by her son, Donald (Cindy) Hammond; her daughters, Mary Ellen (Mike) Hayward and Ronnie Hammond; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by her brothers, Wallace M. Smith, Willard (Cathy) Smith, and David P. (Martha) Smith; and her sisters, Esther Murphy and Alice Zuiderveen. She was also preceded in death by her son, Robert C. Hammond Jr.; her daughter & son-in-law, Peggy & Jeff Woodman; brother & sister-in-law, M. David & Nancy Smith; a sister-in-law, Alice Smith; and brother-in-law, Larry Zuiderveen.

Ruth was a devoted housewife, housekeeper for others, volunteer at Battle Creek Schools, helping special needs adults learn to read & write and a babysitter for friends and family. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross, helping with blood drives and disaster relief. Ruth was a long time member of Richland Covenant Church, later renamed New Hope, and most recently attending Overflow Church. 

A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 24th at the New Hope Church. Memorials direct to the New Hope Church 9300 East D. Avenue Richland, MI 49083 or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan 2500 Watkins Road Battle Creek, MI 49015. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Richland. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Ruth may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.