A graveside service for Mrs. Lila West Hammond, age 87, of Winona will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Oakwood cemetery in Winona, with Rev. Jay Anderson officiating.
A visitation will be held at Oliver Funeral Home of Winona Sunday, August 10, from 1:00 p.m. until service time.
Lila passed away Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Vaiden Community Living Center. She was the youngest of eight children born to Thomas Walker and Annie Lee Persons West on November 26, 1937. She graduated Macon High School in Macon, Mississippi in 1955. Lila married Edward Arnold Hammond, Jr. on May 30, 1956. Together, as Ed served in the United States Air Force, they moved to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas in July 1956. In 1960, upon Ed completing his military service, they returned to Ed’s hometown of Winona, where he was hired to work alongside his father, Edward Arnold Hammond at Hammond Wholesale Company. Shortly thereafter Lila began working at Bank of Winona and continued for many years. Lila was also an active member of First Baptist Church of Winona where she served as a Sunday school teacher and in the choir. She found joy in cooking for her family for many years.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Edward Arnold “Ed” Hammond, Jr.; three children, Kathy Hammond Nash (Gary) of Fairhope, Alabama, Eddie Hammond, (Gay) of Winona, and Mary Lee Hammond Bergwall (Todd) of Loudon, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Gary Nash, Jr., (Allison), Keely Nash Forsdick (Andrew), Jenny Claire Hammond Dyre (Justin), West Hammond (Jessica), Peyton Bergwall King (Jonathan), Meredith Bergwall Friday (Kolby) and Riley Grace Bergwall; ten great-grandchildren, James Forsdick, Laura Frances Forsdick, Wilton Nash, Caroline Nash, Hammond Dyre, Kate Dyre, Reeves Hammond, Tolson King, John Merritt King and Silas Friday; and sisters, Dorothy Faye Coleman of Schlater and Ernestine Foresman of McDonough, GA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Thomas Waddell West, Billy Earl West, Margaret Watkins, Eloise Moffett and Ermagene Bryan.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Nash, Jr., West Hammond, Andrew Forsdick, Billy Chesteen, Allen Pratt and Dave Pratt.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff and residents of Vaiden Community Living Center for the love and care shown to Lila during the last six years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Winona, PO Box 408, Winona, MS 38967.
Kathy
So sorry to hear of your beautiful Mother’s death. It’s hard to lose Mama.
Lila will be so missed, but I have no doubt where she is now— and she wouldn’t come back if she could! My condolences and prayers are with you all. Spence and Tammie Goss
So many wonderful memories of living next door to Lila & Ed on Fairground St. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I always enjoyed talking to Lila and Mr. Ed at Triple L. She could be so funny. She also was always so nice to me at the bank.
Will be thinking of all the family on Sunday.
Hammond family: We are so very sorry to hear about Mrs. Hammond’s passing. Sending prayers to all the family as you say goodbye to your lovely lady. Love in Christ!
Was so very sorry to hear about Lila. Was such a sweet lady with a sweet smile for all. I will miss seeing her at Vaiden Nursing home. Thoughts and prayers for all of you at this difficult time of saying good bye.
Sincerest condolences to you all. I enjoyed getting to see Mrs. Hammond when I visited Dad at VCLC. Numbers6:24-26
Brenda Avent Rigby
Praying for my Classmate, MaryLee and her entire family during this sad life event. God bless and heal your hearts in the days ahead. Class of 1981 is lifting you up in prayer!!❤️🩹