Maralyn Russell Hammond, 71, of Litchfield, died on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Gillespie Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Raymond, with Darrin Daugherty officiating Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Honey Bend. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Hammond was born on Nov. 15, 1951, in Springfield, a daughter to Boyd and Ann (Warner) Russell. She married Dale L. Hammond on Jan. 17, 1976, at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Raymond and he preceded her in death on July 10, 2017.
Mrs. Hammond graduated Athens High School with the class of 1970, earned an Associate of Arts in English and Writing from Lincoln Land Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Sangamon State University. For more than 40 years, she was employed by the Illinois State Board of Education as an administrative assistant.
Mrs. Hammond was a member of AFSCME, an avid reader, and an Abraham Lincoln scholar who loved history. She enjoyed baking and was well-known for her chocolate chip cookies and created intricate works of needlepoint. Mrs. Hammond was a member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church where she taught Sunday School for 30 years, and enjoyed being with her family.
Mrs. Hammond is survived by her sister, Bonnie L. Russell of Williamsville; sister-in-law, Lois (Lester) Peper of Raymond; two nieces, Jennifer (Kenny) Felty and Julie (Josh) Nickles; great-niece Lindsey Nickles; and her great-nephews, Lucas and Landon Nickles.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, James L. Russell.
The family suggests memorials be made to Pleasant Hill Christian Church. Condolences can be left at www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
