Thursday, August 30, 2012

Martha Hammond

Hey all,

I wasn't sure how long the funeral home or paper would leave the obituary up, so I decided to copy it and preserve it here where I can keep it...and I don't ever want to forget the things I learned and the way I felt when I was with Aunt Martha.  I like to think we were kindred spirits in a way. I loved her and always looked forward to spending time with her.  She taught me so much.  She loved me for me and I for her.
The funeral was so sweet yesterday, I got choked up a number of times.  Her sense of humor was so good and they told a number of stories of things she said and I felt as if I could here those words in her voice.
After the funeral, my cousin Laurie, (her second child), said I was like a third daughter to her.  That touched my soul.   She made everyone feel as they were the most important person.  I only hope I can live up the the model she set.   Hard to believe it has almost been 5 years.     

Martha Hammond
Obituary
  • "Martha Hammond led the Single's Again class at Broadmoor..."
    - Meg Stuckey

Martha Jane Hammond

Jackson

Martha Jane Hamilton Hammond passed away August 26, 2012, at Highland Home in Ridgeland, MS. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, MS, with Visitation preceding at 9:00 AM. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, August 28, at Broadmoor. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona, MS, following the funeral on Wednesday. 

Martha Jane Hamilton was born March 4, 1925, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to Jack Lansford and Connie Billingsley Hamilton, of Grenada County and Montgomery County, MS.

Martha's father Jack died in 1929, and she and her mother moved back to Winona, MS, where Connie married H. E. Johnson. Martha's sister and brother were born in Winona, Rebecca Johnson in 1931 and Lawrence Johnson in 1933.

Martha grew up and attended public school in Winona. She graduated in 1942 from Winona High School, where she was valedictorian of her class and homecoming queen. She attended Mississippi State College for Women (now MUW) and graduated with honors. After college, she taught high school English briefly in Tchula, MS, and Panama City, Florida.

On May 14, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart and captain of the Winona High football team, Arnold Townsend Hammond. Martha and Arnold had four children and spent the first decade of their marriage in Winona (1949-1960). They were faithful members of First Baptist Church in Winona.

In 1960 they moved to Jackson, where they quickly became members of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Martha was active in her community, especially in school and church activities. She taught Sunday School for years at Broadmoor, where she became a favorite, loved by many.

Martha Jane Hammond loved life and learning! She excelled in her own life in many endeavors and encouraged those around her to do the same, particularly her children. 

After raising four children, she returned to school and obtained her Ph.D. in English, attending Mississippi College and the University of Southern Mississippi, becoming Dr. Martha H. Hammond. She taught English for several years at Mississippi College while working on her degree and thereafter.

Martha now joins her late husband Arnold, her sister Rebecca (Johnson) Turnage, her brother Lawrence Johnson, and many wonderful family members and friends in Heaven—in the loving presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her four children: Linda (John) Bloszies of Seale, AL, Laurie (Jim) Williams of Marietta, GA, Jack Hammond of Jackson, and Lee (Carol) Hammond of Jackson; and four grandchildren: Sean Bloszies of Raleigh, NC, Ben Williams of Peachtree City, GA, and Peter and Andrew Hammond, of Jackson.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Highland Home for their dedicated and professional care.


I was on the obituary reading it again, and opened the guest book and saw this entry by my brother, Edwin...


August 27, 2012
My condolences for your loss of Aunt Martha.

I remember her best for her chuckling laugh. She was happy all the time. I remember her joking around at the dinner table in Winona when Uncle Lawrence and others made fun of her food eating pace. Aunt Martha just smiled at them.

I think about her whenever I am taking my time and enjoying a good meal.

I loved Aunt Martha. She will be missed . . . for a short time. Soon, we will be eating dinner in Heaven with the Lord. Then, we will all want to make the dinner last for as long as possible. I hope I get to sit close enough to Martha so she can pass me the Lord's blackberry acid.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Inspiration!!

Hey all,

Check out the winners of the Grand Rapids Quilt Show!!!  We did not make it, but congratulations to those that did!!

click here -> Grand Rapids winners!

Time the eat breakfast and get ready for Sunday School! By the way PTQers that read this, I am going to put print outs of the August lesson for those who cannot print and the Jan, Feb, and March for Linda Dawkins in the closet this morning on my way to church.

Happy Quilting!!

Terry

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Energy and Blocks of the Month

Hey all,

When I went to the guild meeting I had not completed both of my (craftsy.com block of the month with Amy Gibson) blocks.  My studio had become such a mess in trying to finish up a few things before school took over my life, that I could not find enough green to cut 16 2.5 inch blocks of the green.  I had cut and assembled some of the blocks when I realized I had forgotten I was short two blocks.  So I had to go with them part way done...embarrassing!  Yesterday evening, while sewing with Bonnie Hunter's live quilt cam, I straightened up the sewing area and found a piece of the green about 12 inches square, so I was able to cut the extra 2 blocks I needed and finish the block.   Relief!!  I sure did not want to take out at least half the others so it would look scrappy.  Love a star block!!





    By the way, if you are not following Bonnie Hunter, you may want to start.  When she is running her live quilt cam, it is like sewing with friends and she gives out lots of tips on how she does things.  Of course this is probably the worst day to tell you that as she is heading to Bali for a 10 day trip, and probably won't have it running.  She said she would if she has wifi...just have to wait and see.  It may be at weird times due to the time difference.  

    I don't know what is happening to my energy level.  I feel like all I want to do is get on the couch and take a nap.  I made a roast this morning. I am really not that much of a meat eater.  Thought maybe I needed more protein, but still not feeling like doing much.  Maybe I need some vitamins.  Still need to type in lesson plans and more grade and go through the mail...better get to it.  

Terry

P.S.  Welcome to our Argentine and Netherlands readers.  

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Third!!!

Hey all,

My block for the challenge quilt took third!  First time I have placed, in all the blocks I have made for the challenges.  So woooot!


I used the Paula Nadelstern book as a guide.  Then I drew out patterns and paper pieced the sections.

The program today at the guild meeting was given by Annette.  She did a quick seminar on free motions quilting.  There were lots of good techniques and tips.   Everyone seemed to enjoy it.


Happy sewing!

Terry

Monday, August 13, 2012

Endings and New Beginnings

Hey all,

This weekend I was in Raleigh, NC for a wake for an old friend and a wedding of a great friend's son.  

David Sendek, died before his time, and it was incredible sad, and hard to wrap my head around.  He was a gentle spirit and will be missed in this world.  My flight was such I could not get to the funeral but went by the home to speak to the family.  It was good to see them pull together to support each other and good to renew acquaintance with folks I haven't seen since the 70's.


On a happy note, I got to see two families come together to celebrate the wedding of their children, Sally and Steven.  It was so much fun.  Here are a few of my favorite photos...

Sue and Bill, parents of the groom, welcome all to the rehearsal dinner.

At the end of the night, Bill looks pretty happy!

Corina doing Sally's make-up

Diane hosting the Bridesmaid luncheon.

Sister of the groom, Jaclyn Bell

Bridesmaid luncheon spread.

Karen Curtis, Aunt of the groom, sang before the processional.

waiting to get photos,

Harmon side

Carlos and Jackson.

First dance

Father - daughter dance


mother - son dance

Brides mother, Gretal and Diane, Aunt of the groom, and coordinator extra ordinaire.

Diane and her son Carlos. 
Best of Luck to Sally and Steven.  Now back to reality of work!!  Looking forward to a good school year.



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Tommy's Quilt

Hey all,

A good friend of our family, Tommy Givens, just graduated from college.  He worked hard and finished his degree in Chemical Engineering.  Will and I wanted to do something very special for him, so we decided he needed a T-shirt quilt.  So Will was in charge of getting the shirts and formatting the label, and I was to make the quilt, with his help in laying it out.  So this is what we came up with.
I had a lot of fun quilting this.  I did something different on the border of each quilt square, and even each side.  I found that by the time I had done a whole side border of the quilt, I was tired of that design.  So I changed it.  So here are a few close ups of the quilting.



I will be out of pocket this weekend, so not sure if I will get to make another post, but I will try!

Terry

PS  Welcome new readers from Australia, Czech Republic, France, Singapore and Canada!!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Accents

Today a friend from high school, who I haven't spoken to in years said I have a southern accent...I was so pleased.  I always wanted one.