Shirley Lynn Hammes

Shirley Lynn Hammes was the toughest person we ever knew. She had to be to overcome all the adversity in her life to have the amazing, wonderful, and truly extraordinary life that she had before she was done in by her toe. Shirley, Mom, Mimi, was born on May 6th 1924 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Mabel and William Hinton. When Shirley/Mom/Mimi was seven years old Mabel died of pneumonia and possibly T.B. in Porterville, Ca. Shirley had two younger sisters, Charlene and Wanda. Both sisters were adopted, but Shirley was not. Her father was bringing Shirley back to Arkansas by train when he met a new woman friend. He told Shirley he would catch up with her later. Later was many years later. Mom was taken in by her Uncle, Jacob King, and his future wife Aileene, "Dandy" King. Dandy was Shirley's salvation. Shirley overheard Jacob and her grandmother Manshoo talking about putting her in an orphanage in Mississippi. This was during the height of the Great Depression. Dandy would not hear of it. She and Jacob adopted Shirley/Mom/Mimi. Later in life mom liked to joke that she was eleven years old when she attended her parent's wedding. During W.W. II she worked as a Red Cross volunteer at the Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs where she met a young G.I.from Anoka, Minnesota who was recovering from frozen feet. Norman Hammes was the love of her life and she worked quickly to change this yankee into a southern boy. They married on September 28, 1945 and shared adventures and their love affair for the next fifty-seven years. She also had a wonderful Sister and Brother-In-Law Mary and Ed Maranda. Shirley and Mary became best friends and the Maranda kids, Eddie, Kathleen, Joel, Patrick, Mary Beth, Nannette, Colleen and Michael were Shirley's second family whom she loved deeply. Shirley and Norman started their family with the arrival of Larry Neal Hammes A.K.A "Chief", on September 8th, 1946. Mom was pregnant with Chief while Dandy was pregnant with her youngest child Carol. Mom liked to share that fact at the grocery store while both were shopping. She said the looks she received were priceless. Chief was an inquisitive child much like Hurricane Rita was a rainstorm. He was an adventurous child who at the age of 18 months accidentally set himself on fire. He was in a body cast for six months. Insurance was unheard of back then and Mom and Dad paid the doctor $5 a month for years until the bill was paid off. During this time mom saw an ad for OCS where you had to have two years of college and prior military service. Norman was accepted into OCS and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. This began a life of military service that took them around the world and mom took a military wife like a duck takes to water. Anne Lynn was born on February 10, 1950 and was the apple of Norman's eye. She started agitating Chief immediately and didn't stop. Ever. Shirley and Norman had orders to go to Japan when the Korean War broke out. He was one of the first troops to go into combat and Shirley had two small children to care for. Dad returned as a war hero in September, and mom and dad went to Ft. Knox, Ky. In April of 1953 Norman was sent to Saudi Arabia on a hardship tour. The next day April 15th, Julie Aileene was born. At about 18 months of age Julie was identified as MR. At this time most parents either institutionalized their child with disabilities or hid them at home. Not Shirley/Mom/Mimi she raised Julie just like the rest of her children. We were disciplined equally and given responsibilities and chores. Julie was Shirley's greatest accomplishment, and her pride and joy. Norman returned from Saudi Arabia and they were stationed at Camp Irwin, Ca where their fourth child Patrick was born on February 17, 1956. Anne Lynn had another brother to terrorize which she did gleefully. Shirley learned German because she wanted to know what the natives were saying about her. She also began to become a self-taught gourmet cook. She traveled Europe picking up antiques, recipes, and life-long friends and not always in that order. Shirley/Mom/Mimi loved to host dinner parties and to socialize. Great friends and great times were had by all.. Throughout her time as an Army wife Shirley remained a force of nature, with love of adventure and exploring new countries,. She maintained a sharp wit, keen sense of humor, and a love of learning as she continued to impact friends, and family alike. Grand-children began to arrive with Chris Cullum being the first to arrive in May of 1974 followed by Keith, Alexa, Lindsay, and Melissa. They were the joys of their lives and she and Norman enjoyed taking them on trips and adventures. In 1986, mom was finally able to build her dream home in Seneca, S.C. The "yellow house" Was a home of love where all family and friends were welcome. If there ever was a "sanctuary city" this was it. They loved to visit their children, and to spoil their grandchildren, while instilling the values that they had followed all of their lives. Norman passed away in 2002, and a year later Shirley sold the "yellow house" It had to many memories and too much love shared that made it to difficult to stay. Mom moved back to Michigan to be near Anne Lynn, but continued to travel as much as she could. In 2012 much to her pride Julie moved into a group home in Wayzata, Mn where she continued to flourish. Mom's mission was accomplished but her sense of being needed was diminished. Great-Grand-Children brought more joy to her life with Gabby, Vivian. Olivia, Lily, and Connor (beautiful boy) bringing her more happiness and joy. Mom continued to complete the N.Y. Times Crossword puzzle in fifteen minutes using a pen, read novels, visit family,and being the Grand Dame/Matriarch of us all. Life took a turn for worse when her eldest child Larry, A.K.A "Chief," passed away last November. As much as she missed Norman, she missed Chief more. Shirley/Mom/Mimi, passed away on August 1st, 2018. The six weeks preceding her death she would tell us, that her bags were packed and she was ready to go." She didn't know why the good lord wasn't calling her home. She couldn't believe that a toe could cause so much suffering and wanted this obit to lead "Death by toe!" We just figured it was because she spent a life of not toeing the line. Mom/Mimi is gone but will not be forgotten by anyone who spent any "time with her. Her zest for life truly epic. Mom/Mimi was asked shortly before her death on what brought her the greatest happiness. Her response was, "Family. Mom/Mimi will be greatly missed and never forgotten by her family as we carry her spirit with us us as we move forward with our lives. She will be rejoining Norman at Arlington National Cemetery She is preceded in death by her parents William and Mabel Hinton, Jacob and Aileene King, Husband, Norman, Son, Larry, A.K.A Chief, Sisters Charlene and Wanda Erwin. She is survived by her daughters Anne Lynn Kelley, (Reg) of Branson West, Mo, Julie, Wayzata, Mn, Son Patrick Hammes (Dawna) Brownsville, Tx, grandchildren Chriss Cullum, Harrison Township, Mi, Keith Cullum (Kathy), Katy, Tx, Alexa Terry, (Bill), Augusta, Me., Lindsay Hammes, Boston, Mas., Melissa Cyrus, (Chris) Novi, Mi,Sisters Carol Hartman (Frank)North Little Rock, Ark, Linda Fontaine (Charlie), Omaha, Neb, Daughter-In-Law (Sandra Hammes) Augusta, Me, Great-Grandchildren Gabriela & Liliana Cullum, Connor Cyrus, Viviana & Olivia Wood, numerous nieces and nephews with special fondness to the Maranda clan.