Eddie Ray HammonsObituary Mr. Eddie Ray Hammons, age 81, of Choudrant, La. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 24, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born October 5, 1933 in Choudrant, La. to the late William S. Hammons and Pearl Roach Hammons. Eddie Ray graduated from Choudrant High School in 1954 and on October 8, 1954 he married the love of his life, Bertie Rae Dugdale. When asked by his wife if he loved her, he would always give the same answer, I told you I did once, and if anything changes I will let you know. Eddie Ray had a wonderful sense of humor and exercised it on a daily basis with just about anyone he encountered, including total strangers. Eddie Ray was employed over the years in a variety of occupations, mainly due to the fact that he was so multi-talented. He worked as a self-employed carpenter with his older brother Frank Hammons after getting married and then was employed nineteen years with Silmon Wholesale in West Monroe, La. as a salesman. Eddie and Bertie have served as church custodians at the First Baptist Church of Choudrant for over forty years. Finally, Eddie retired after twenty years of service in the maintenance department of Lincoln General Hospital, where his talents in painting, wallpapering, woodworking and decorating constantly changed the looks of the hospital. Eddie Ray loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and exemplified his Christianity to everyone he knew or met.He loved his church, was dedicated and worked diligently to keep the Lord house clean and beautiful. He simply enjoyed life and especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and helping babysit his great grandsons. He loved working in his yard, greenhouse, tending to flower beds and keeping a vegetable garden. For many years, Eddie and Bertie were members of the Dubach Wheeler Dealer Square Dancers and enjoyed the fellowship of club members. They loved to travel and especially enjoying many trips to Disney World with friends and family. Last but not least, Eddie Ray Hammons was known for his multiple talents and skills in the field of decorating. As a student at Choudrant High School, he decorated for school dances, graduation, homecomings and banquets.As a CHS alumnus, he contributed his time, lattice work, fern stands, columns, and other decorating props to help future classes enjoy beautifully decorated scenes. Eddie creative talents and skills have enhanced many a wedding or anniversary reception and especially at the hospital where patients and visitors enjoyed hall decorations and seasonal creations for Christmas, Easter and other special occasions. Eddie was not only faithful and committed but enjoyed creating beautiful flower arrangements to be placed in the church sanctuary for Sunday services, funerals and decorating the church for Christmas. Every Father Day, he would place a Bible, with a pair of eyeglasses and a single stem rose on the Remembrance table at the front of the sanctuary. He also passed on his talents to his daughter and granddaughters, encouraging and assisting them by thinking outside the box to create beautiful and elaborate cakes and flower arrangements. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of sixty years, Bertie Rae Hammons, Daughter Sharon Franklin and husband Kip, Son George Hammons and wife Danita, all of Choudrant. Papaw four loving granddaughters, Cheri Hammons, Jennifer Grafton and husband Scott, Jamie Rae Franklin, Kristin Skipper and husband Devin. Great grandchildren who he loved spending time with, Wyatt Grafton, Riley Skipper and Colton Lane Beard and his faithful companion, the family dog, Moses. A Special son, daughter and granddaughter Billy, Susie and Missy Carter. Brother R.L. Doc Hammons, Sisters Mary McCorkle and Ruby Griffin. Brothers-in-laws James Dugdale, wife Mary, Curtis Dugdale, wife Fran, Joe Dugdale, wife Glenda and Sister-in-law Judy Williams, husband Jimmy and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Choudrant. Officiating the services will be Rev. Bill Sanderson, Rev. Twight Shelton and Rev. David Harrell. Special music will be provided by family friend Billy Carter. Interment will follow at Sibley Cemetery, Choudrant, La. Visitation will be held Friday, February 27, 2015 from 5-8 PM at the First Baptist Church in Choudrant. The family requests that memorials be made to the Sanctuary Flower Fund for Choudrant First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.