HAMMER, Mary Katherine Holland,100, passed away on June 6, 2019. The daughter of the late Lucy Taft Holland and Reverend Irby Fox Holland, Mary Katherine was born in Gunnison, MS and moved to Nashville in 1921 with her mother and brother, Walter Fox Holland following the death of her father. She attended Hume Fogg High School and Peabody College of Vanderbilt where she received both her undergraduate and M.Ed. degrees. She was married to Clyde Franklin Hammer, Sr. for 56 years until his death in 1999.
Known for her gentle nature, her unconditional love for her family and friends, her encouragement and belief in her students, and her devotion to her faith and her church, Mary Katherine was a gifted educator and wonderful role model for her family, her students, and her countless friends. She was a knowledgeable and respected Sunday School teacher and a member of Blakemore United Methodist Church for 90+ years.
Her teaching career spanned 39 years in Metro Nashville schools including Joelton High School, Cohn High School, North High School, West End High School and Overton High School. She retired in 1981.
She was a resident of the Blakeford at Green Hills for 15 years. Her family wishes to express sincere thanks to the entire staff at Blakeford (especially Misty, Santilya, Hester, Tiffany, Suzette, Katie and Gina) for the loving care she received there on a daily basis. We also are deeply grateful to Laura Denison with Alive Hospice for her care, guidance and support this past year.
Mary Katherine is survived by two sons, Clyde Franklin Hammer, Jr. (Susan) and Charles Frederick Hammer (Nancy); five grandchildren, Katherine Hammer Johnson (Richard), Joseph Franklin Hammer, Charles Frederick Hammer, Jr. (Ashley), Ellen Taft Hammer, and Sarah Alice Hammer; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two nephews Walter Fox Holland, Jr. (Anne) and Joseph Preston Holland (Judy); and two great-nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 AM at Blakemore United Methodist Church with a private family burial following at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Monday, June 10 at the Blakeford’s Independent Living, 11 Burton Hills Blvd, from 5 PM to 6 PM, and 9 AM until 10:30 AM on Tuesday at Blakemore United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be Joe Hammer, Charlie Hammer, Richard Johnson, Jonathan Foster, Kirk Holland, Jody Holland, Preston Holland, and Cameron Holland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Blakemore United Methodist Church, 3601 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205; Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203; or the Employee Assistance Fund, Blakeford at Green Hills, 11 Burton Hills Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215.
