Alice Nell Hammond

Alice Nell White Hammond was born on September 12, 1928, in rural Liberty County to Ruth Lyon White and Cleveland Charles White. She died on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, just weeks away from her 94th birthday.

Alice grew up on a farm outside of Devers, Texas in a family of 5 siblings. She graduated from Devers High School in 1945 where she played on the women’s basketball team. Alice also represented her school as a nominee for Senior Queen at the Trinity Valley Exposition Her “consort” for that event was listed in the Liberty Vindicator as a young Earle Hammond of Daisetta, Texas. That budding relationship was interrupted by World War II but quickly resumed after Earle was discharged. The couple was married on June 28, 1948. Earle was the love of her life and constant companion for nearly 72 years.

After high school graduation, Alice began working as a bookkeeper in Beaumont. She and Earle moved to Houston after getting married where she worked for Straus Frank and Company. The two lived in campus housing at the University of Houston before purchasing a home in Galena Park. With their family growing and to be closer to their roots, they built a home and moved to Dayton, Texas. Later, Earle’s job took them Butler, Pa. and eventually back to Houston.

Alice was devoted to her family. She took great joy in celebrating holidays with delicious home-cooked meals and showering her children, grandchildren and friends with love and an assortment of Christmas cookies.

Alice was a member of Memorial Drive Methodist Church, actively involved in the United Methodist Women, the Seniors Group, and Edith Moore prayer circles. She was also a member of the Lakeside Women’s Club and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was an accomplished seamstress, avid golfer and loved to fish. A supporter of many non-profit organizations, Alice donated and raised funds for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, and the March of Dimes.

She is survived by her brother, James White and wife Sara of San Antonio; two daughters, Donna Ladyga and husband David Ladyga of Houston, Pat Hammond and husband Martin Murdock of Houston; three grandchildren, Jacob Ladyga, Hayden Murdock, and Audrey Murdock.

The family is eternally grateful to the caregivers who were at her side 24/7 for the last years of her life: Bridgett Fobbs, Darneshia Stephenson, Rosalyn Smith and Barbara Smith.

Alice Nell was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, and loving friend to everyone. And while our hearts are broken mourning the loss of someone so dear, we are blessed to have had her in our lives for so many wonderful years and memories.

For those who wish, donations in her memory can be made to the Wesley Community Center, Memorial Drive Methodist Church, or West Houston Assistance Ministries.

A visitation is scheduled for 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27, at Dettling Funeral Home 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A celebration of her life is planned for 9:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 29, at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church 12955 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079 with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at Palms Memorial Cemetery in Dayton, Texas.