Eleanor Lillian Hammonds

Eleanor Lillian Hammonds reached the finish line of a remarkable race of a life well lived on January 18, 2022. Upon meeting her Savior face to face, we can imagine with great joy that her faith was made into glorious sight. As believers, we have this great hope: our home is in heaven and the goal of our faith is eternal life in Christ. We give honor and glory to God for the life of a woman we adored as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Our earthly loss is heavens gain, and we are confident that we will see her again!

In the quiet before the storm of the Great Depression, on a farm in Parker, South Dakota, Eleanor was born. She was born at home on the farm on September 1, 1923 to August Heinz and Katherine Spomer. Eleanor was born the third of six children to her parents. Her childhood played out in the idyllic hometown near the farm where she was surrounded by extended family and corn-filled farmland. Later generations would also enjoy visiting Parker, South Dakota for family reunions. Eleanors mother passed away when she was just 11 years old. Yet even at such a young age, her mothers influence and love had profound impact on her-she would reflect upon her mothers care and love for others in the community. This beautiful example spurred on Eleanors lifelong desire to be a nurse-a profession that was her goal and passion for as long as she could remember. She also recognized that serving as a nurse was one tangible way a young woman could witness for Christ.

Graduating from high school at the age of 16, Eleanor was still too young to go to nursing school. After a year at home helping her father on the farm, she attended St. Lukes Lutheran School in Iowa, graduating in 1945. As a member of the Cadet Nurse Corp, Eleanor was transferred to Winter General Army Hospital. Upon observing a young man receiving stitches, she confidently declared that, "I can do a better job of doing that." Taking matters into her own hands that day was the Lords perfect provision. Her patient (now with perfect stitches) was Mr. Clay Hammonds, whom she would later marry on July 27, 1947 back home in Parker, South Dakota.

Clay and Eleanor moved to San Antonio where Clay was stationed at Fort Sam Army Base. Together they welcomed four children: Bobby, Sharon, Marty and Charles. Eleanor had the extraordinary ability to find a life-giving balance between being a devoted wife and mother and also a passionate nurse. She worked full days and came home to be a full-time mother. Her children reflect that her pace and ability to balance so many things-and with such joy and grace-was remarkable. Though committed to many different things, she was singularly devoted to her family and her faith. As members of Concordia Lutheran Church since 1954, Eleanor and Clay were vibrant members of the congregation-Eleanor singing in the choir and always sitting in her favorite pew. When the doors were open at church, the Hammonds family was there. Eleanors heart and soul were filled with music-specifically choir and organ-and it often filled their home. It is of significant note that Eleanor once declared that her first task in heaven will be to play the organ.

Eleanors love for nursing found its root in her love and passion for caring for people. Her nursing career was a lifelong endeavor. Various nursing jobs led her to Nix Hospital in San Antonio where she served as Director of Nurses from 1959-1970. In 1970, Eleanor was recruited to hold that same position at the new Northeast Baptist Hospital. She was an incredible example to and advocate for the working mother. At her direction, the hospital created a childcare center in an unused room. This allowed mothers to bring their children to work and even put them down for bed at night so they could work night shifts. Because of this initiative, staffing was never an issue. In 1978, Eleanor shifted to the main Baptist Hospital serving 750 patients and 1100 employees. At the heart of every position she held, Eleanors deep and genuine love for people flourished-she knew and remembered names and details of families.

Our Eleanor would likely remark that the most profound signs of accomplishment are not awards and distinguished honors, but people and relationships. Yet the Lord called her to many different offices and positions of influence-and she humbly accepted the opportunities. Eleanor was the Chairman of the nursing section for the American Cancer Society, a member of the board of directors for ACS Bexar County and District 8 nurses, president of District 8 nurses and president of Alamo Area Directors of Nursing organization. She received many accolades as a nurse including Nurse of the Year for District 8 Nurses in 1964, Nurse of the Year for the Baptist Hospital System in 1978, the Hidalgo Award from Bexar County commissioners for outstanding service in 1985 as well as the San Antonio Directors of Nursing award for outstanding service to nursing. Eleanor was small in stature and yet gigantic in impact. The Lord had and fulfilled tremendous plans for a young farm girl from South Dakota who dreamed of one day becoming a nurse.

Eleanor, our beloved Grammie, leaves a legacy behind her, and we look forward with eager anticipation to the day when we will be reunited in heaven. With great joy, we think about the reunion of Eleanor and Clay-the most faithful examples of Christs love to our family, now together in the Lord. No doubt, Eleanor was also welcomed into the Lords kingdom by her two sons Bobby and Charles. The ongoing Hammonds legacy includes Eleanor and Clays children and their spouses: Sharon and David Morris, Marty and Sharon Hammonds. Her adoring grandchildren also share her legacy: Laurie Ann and Brent Savidge, Jerrod Hammonds, Jordan and Christoper Mauldin, Jake Hammonds, Brian Morris, Alison and Brent Baker, Gala and Mike Finch, Gina and Scott Bland, Robby and Hazel Hammonds and Rodney Hammonds. And of course, the great-grandchildren who adore their Grammie and will enjoy a lifetime of hearing stories of this incredible force of grit and grace: 11 great-grandchildren. Eleanors legacy is also carried on by many nieces, nephews and her loving sister Ruth Garry.

Psalm 78 expresses a deep desire to "tell the coming generations the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done." By Gods grace, Eleanor Hammonds beautifully did just that. Our family rejoices in the humble and kind example of a life well lived. We are confident that the seeds she planted will flourish and grow for many generations to come. Glory to God for the gift of 98 remarkable years of our wonderful and beloved Eleanor Hammonds.

A celebration of Eleanors life will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:30am at her beloved church, Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio. The family requests that any donations be made in Eleanors honor to Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78258 or the American Cancer Society.