Thelma Ray Hammett

Thelma Ray Hammett departed this earth peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2013, at Kindred Hospital Mansfield, surrounded by close friends and family. A long-time resident of Arlington, Texas, Thelma Ray was born in 1923 in Galveston, Texas and resided on the island until moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1984. A Dominican alumnae, former dancer, dance coach and choreographer, she also worked for a number of years with a private medical practice where she met and married her beloved husband of 39 years, retired Texas Employers Insurance executive, Earl Hammett. Together they enjoyed cruise travel, automobile excursions, the performing arts, dining with friends, visiting family and, most recently, spoiling their canine companion, Misty. Thelma Ray would quite simply brighten up any room, as those who were fortunate enough to know her will attest, and she derived great joy from her faith community at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Loyis Nicholas; her son, John “Johnny” Permenter; and her sister Dolores Beach and husband George. She is survived by her loyal and loving husband, Earl; her daughter Susan “Susie” and husband Brett Porter of Suffolk, VA; niece Debbie Kocian of Round Top, Texas; nephew George Beach, III and wife Beth of New Braunfels, Texas; nephew Richard Beach and wife Patti, also of New Braunfels, Texas; and numerous other friends and relatives. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday, December 2, 2013 at Moore Funeral Home, Bowen Road Chapel, Arlington, Texas with a rosary to be held at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arlington. The Honor Guard and Pall Bearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus of which Mr. Hammett is a 4th Degree Member. Burial will be at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Thelma Ray's memory to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation, or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Arlington Texas. Always a bright light in our midst, she's now dancing by starlight, but dearly, so dearly missed.