Myrtle King Hammons

Myrtle Hammons, 78, of Fort Sumner died Monday, August 16, 1999 following a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born December 19, 1920 at the King family homestead near Yeso. Myrtle was the last surviving member of the William Joe and Grace Walker King family. Her brother Cyril; sisters, Alice King Sparks and Rosebud King Willis and her “Little Grannie” Sarah Burbury King also lived on the claims at Yeso. Myrtle was named for Little Grannie’s sister-in-law. Sarah King emigrated from Crewe Farm near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England in 1870. Myrtle always wished to visit the old English farmstead, but ill health intervened. However, she instilled such an interest in the family farm that four family members have visited Crewe Farm on her behalf. The “Most Wonderful Present” of Myrtle’s childhood was a little red mare that her father brought one Christmas. Myrtle rode the little mostly bareback to pick up the mail from the Yeso post office. He least favorite childhood memory was of having to scrub the cistern walls in the fall. During the winter the family packed the cistern with snow to have ice water available through the summer. Myrtle attended schools at Yeso and at Fort Sumner until her graduation. Myrtle married John Hammons on September 21, 1940 at Las Vegas, NM. They made their home in the Fort Sumner Valley that same year. Myrtle worked as a substitute teacher at Fort Sumner Public Schools, and later served as Director of the Fort Sumner Senior Citizens Center for 5 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Beside her brother and sisters she was also preceded in death by a nephew Pete King, great-niece Kay Lee Hays, and great-nephews Darren King and Beau Derrick. Survivors include her husband John Hammons of the family home, two sons, Bill and Donileta Hammons of El Paso, TX; Gene and Janie Hammons of Houston, TX; grandsons Jon and wife Rachel Hammons of Lake Whitney, TX; Dan and wife Michelle Hammons, Ben Hammons and a great-grandson Daniel Hammons of Burleson, TX, Dr. Doug and wife Kelly Hammons of Irving, TX; Dr. Matt Hammons and fiancée Elizabeth of Jacksonville, FL, and Cadet Jake Hammons of the Air Force Academy. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Rozella King of Artesia, NM, Edna Hammons of Portales, and brother-and-sister-in-law Bill and Alpha Hammons of Aztec. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 20, 1999 from the Fort Sumner Church of Christ with Mr. Allen Sparks officiating. Burial will follow in the King family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are all of her friends and neighbors. The family would like to thank all of those who so thoughtfully remembered Myrtle during her illness. Myrtle was a long-time substitute and graduate of Fort Sumner High School. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the De Baca County Ex-Students Association in her memory. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.