Mrs. Stella Mae Hammonds Thomas

Funeral Service for Mrs. Stella Mae Hammonds Thomas, 93, of Alexander City, Alabama, will be Monday, March 16, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Mark Vernon will officiate. Burial will follow in the Smyrna Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Radney Funeral Home.

Stella Mae Hammonds Thomas, a beacon of love and generosity, passed away peacefully surrounded by the warmth of her expansive family. Born on July 20, 1932, in Talladega County, Alabama, she was the cherished daughter of Mayo Hammond and Minnie Lee Carpenter Hammond. Stella's life was a testament to the power of an open heart and the beauty of an inclusive spirit.

Stella's journey was marked by her unwavering Christian faith, which guided her through the many seasons of her life. Her devotion to her religion was evident in her everyday actions and the kindness she extended to all who crossed her path. She cultivated a life as beautiful and vibrant as the gardens she so lovingly tended. Stella's passion for gardening was more than a hobby; it was a reflection of her nurturing soul, as she helped both plants and people alike to grow and flourish.

Her home was an ever-revolving door of warmth and hospitality, welcoming not only her biological family but also the many individuals she embraced as her own. Stella's definition of family transcended blood relations, encompassing all those whom she enveloped in her boundless love. Her children and grandchildren, both by birth and by heart, were the pride and joy of her life, each one cherished for their unique place in her world.

Stella's life was one of selfless love and dedication. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mayo and Minnie Lee Carpenter; her brothers, Wesley Hammonds, Johnny Hammonds, Terry Hammond, and Roy Dean Hammonds; her children, Randall Dale Thomas and Rhonda Ann Cotney; her granddaughter, Heather Thomas; and her sister-in-law, Gaynelle Hammonds. Their memories were held close to her heart, as she continued to embody the love and resilience that they had all shared.

Those who knew Stella will remember her as a woman of great passion-passionate about her faith, her family, and the simple joys of life. Her generous spirit was felt by everyone she met, and her legacy of love and acceptance will continue to inspire those she has left behind. Stella's life was a beautiful garden filled with the blossoms of her deeds and the fragrance of her compassion, a garden that will continue to thrive in the hearts of those she touched.

As we bid farewell to Stella Mae Hammonds Thomas, we celebrate a life lived with purpose and grace. Her spirit, a blend of strength and gentleness, has left an indelible mark on the world, and her memory will be cherished forever by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her love, like the flowers she so adored, will remain a vivid and enduring presence in the lives of her extended family and the many friends who are better for having been a part of her extraordinary journey.

Radney Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Stella Mae Thomas.