Hattie Spurlock Rutledge Hammett

The Life and Times of Hattie Spurlock Rutledge Hammett

Hattie was born September 30, 1931 and died March 3, 2018, she was preceded in death by her parents Sylvia and Brian Spurlock and her husbands Chester Rutledge and Harold Hammett.

Writing an obituary for Hattie Hammett is a little intimidating, because she was such a good writer herself, you want to do a good job for her and express everything that she was, and she was many things. Hattie’s poetry was about people and if you were lucky enough to have a poem written about you, you were blessed. She was also a gifted artist, painting portraits and still lifes.

Hattie was a 2 ^nd grade teacher at Bay Elementary school for most of her career, and inspired early writers as they published a 2 ^nd grade newspaper. She also coached other teachers on writing skills as they took the teacher certification test, and she taught GED classes in Calico Rock.

She and her first husband Chester Rutledge raised a daughter Stacy Rutledge Parks, (Brad) and nurtured two sons Johnny and Marion Rutledge, and she enjoyed being Grandma Hattie to Jordan and Ethan Parks. After remarriage to Harold she was welcomed into his family and enjoyed relationships with his daughters Brenda Glass and husband Dave, and Mildred Hammett, and his sons Bill and wife Donna and Paul and wife Lee Ann, and the Hammett grandchildren Donovan Hammett, Wayne Hammett, Anthony Hammett, Lori Hammett Jones, Ryan Hammett, Jennifer Glass Winstead, and Heather Glass Greer.

Hattie was a special aunt to Lura Spurlock, Denise Looker and Kay Gammill Jones, and to nephews Joe, Gary, Gaylon, and Ray Gammill, Donnie, John, Ed, Mike, and Marty Spurlock. She was preceded in death by Brothers Randle Spurlock, Glen and wife Dorothy, Royce and wife Deanie, and Murphy and wife Nadine, and Sister Geraldine and husband Vernon Gammill.

She was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and an athlete herself, excelling in high school basketball, and as the grand dame of the Hills Supermarket Softball Team.

Hattie was blessed with many friends and especially the friendship and care of Claudia Lamberson, niece Dollie Fleming, Jerry Yeager, and the staff of Ridgecrest Health and Rehabilitation.

A visitation for Hattie is Wednesday from 5-7 pm at Emerson Memorial Chapel, with a celebration of life on Thursday at 10 at the funeral home chapel with Marty Spurlock officiating.

MEMORIAL VIDEO

To register online go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com