Oct. 7, 1935-Nov. 28, 2018
Service: 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, Stockton United Methodist Church Burial: Following funeral services, Stockton Cemetery, under the direction of Brumback Funeral Home.
Donna G. Hammons, 83, of Stockton, passed away on Wednesday evening, November 28, 2018 at her home with family at her side.
Donna was born in Stockton on October 7, 1935 to Myrl T. and Pearl (Lee) Carender. She grew up helping at the soda fountain in her family’s drug store, Carender Drug, on the town square. Always an outgoing, bright girl, she graduated valedictorian from Stockton High School in 1953.
Donna married her high school sweetheart R. Dwain Hammons on March 7, 1954 when the two were students at Southwest Missouri State College and she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and a Kappa Alpha Rose. After living in Germany where Dwain was stationed in the U.S. Army, the couple returned to Stockton in 1958 where they have lived since.
They raised two children, Brian and Lori, and were very active in many community activities.
Donna was a life-long member of the Stockton United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for 50 years, sang in the choir, and was a charter member of the bell choir. She always modeled a deep faith in God and commitment to loving and serving others. She also was active in the United Methodist Women’s group, was a charter member of Stockton PEO chapter, as well as a member and past president of the Order of Eastern Star.
Donna assisted Dwain as he led the Hammons family’s black walnut business, graciously hosting countless business and social events. She also co-founded and managed the Hammons Pantry retail and mail order division beginning in 1979. She always brought a gracious, creative, helpful perspective to everything she did, appreciated by co-workers and customers alike.
Donna loved life and was always busy doing things, but never too busy to talk with or help people – whether friends or acquaintances, even strangers, she always had a bright smile and a kind, encouraging word. She enjoyed reading, playing golf, playing bridge, baking special treats or preparing meals, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri State Bears. She also was a talented artist, producing many paintings.
Survivors include her loving husband of 64 years, Dwain Hammons; son, Brian (Kimberly) Hammons and daughter Lori (Jeff) Basecke; 6 grandchildren, April (Dusty) Golden; Neil (Megan) Basecke; David (Jessica) Hammons; Jacob (Keary) Basecke; Adam (Chelsea) Hammons; and Graham Basecke; 5 great-grandchildren, Flannery Golden; Jack, Maeve, Liam Basecke and Henry Basecke, as well as countless friends who loved Donna and were blessed by her warm, caring, engaging presence. All their lives are richer and better thanks to her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Myrl and Pearl Carender and her brother Keith Carender.
A memorial service celebrating Donna’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 3 at Stockton United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Stockton cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Stockton United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.
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