Walter F. Hammie
March 24, 1937 ~ September 16, 2020
Born in:
Oxford, NC
Resided in:
New Haven, CT
Walter F. Hammie, affectionately known as Freeman, was born to the late Stanford and Katherine Turner Hammie on March 24, 1937 in Oxford, NC. He departed this life on September 16, 2020 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Freeman was the oldest son of 8 children. He graduated in 1956 from Mary Potter High School in Oxford. Following graduation, he moved to Connecticut in the 50’s in pursuit of better opportunities. After marrying Carrie Shepherd they settled in New Haven, where this past March they celebrated 59 years of marriage. Freeman owned and operated the Reliable Liquor Shoppe and a tax service for 40+ years. Freeman enjoyed playing tennis and was a member of the African American Northeastern Tennis Association. Always an advocate for servicing his community, he often donated and sponsored many civic organizations. He was dedicated to his Mary Potter classmates and friends. Besides his wife, Carrie Hammie, Freeman leaves to cherish his memory his son, Terry Hammie (Marie-deceased); daughters, Monica Hammie-Richardson, Catherine Hammie, and Sheila Hammie; brothers, Charles Hammie (Gloria), Ronnie Hammie, and Lonnie Hammie; half-sister Valerie Lyons; grandchildren, Kiana Richardson, Wayne and Walter Whyte, Adam Compton, Darren and Derek Moseley; aunt, Emma Shepherd; and a host of loving nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Freeman was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Wright and Clara Parker, and brother, Johnnie Hammie.
Friends are invited to visit BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., on Friday, September 25th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Service will continue in the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. followed by his burial in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory can be made to the United Negro College Fund, www.UNCF.org.
Services
Visitation: September 25, 2020 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
www.beecherandbennett.com
Funeral Service: September 25, 2020 11:00 am
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
www.beecherandbennett.com
Cassandra Spells Bingham (Lucy )
will not be able to be there. But you are my prayers . Sending love and blessings .
I am so sorry for your loss, Monica. You and your family are in my prayers.
Monica – my deepest condolences on the loss of your father. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
So sorry for your loss of your dad I will miss him so much one of many of my cousins I loved him so much. Gail
Carrie and family, my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one Freeman. May you be comforted by memories that you cherish❣
Tommie Foster Banks, Family/Friend
Tuscaloosa, AL
I am sorry for your loss. Hammie was a wonderful and caring person. He will truly be missed by his family and friends. He is with the lord now sitting at his table. May God bless you all and may in comfort you during this time.
RIP Freeman, I will miss talking with you and seeing you at at our annual meeting places, CIAA and MP reunion. We became friends ln the first grade and have remained friends through out. I feel like a part of my body is missing but I will hold on to the fond memories we shared for 70 plus years. Always, Ernestine
Isaac ROYSTER/ Hampton, Virginia
Dear Carrie,, all of Freeman’s family members and friends and to our Mary Potter Academy Alumni: My heart is heavy too because I share your sorrow. I met Freeman, and brother Charles at one of our Mary Potter Reunions. Loyal commitment to our High School Alumni Association brought many of us together for the first time, friendships were formed and and lasted till the the last time.
I pray that each of you will be comforted and strengthened by the enormous bank of memories formed during the time that you were blessed to share life with Freeman. I know that I will miss him I know that I am blessed to have known him. He was loyal, ambitious, a good friend and a creative entrepreneur, A good Man.
In Memory of Freeman a monetary donation will be made to the National Mary Potter Club. Inc.
Olivia Thomas
To Carrie, Freeman’s family members, friends and members of the National Mary Potter Club of which Freeman was a very loyal, faithful and unforgettable member. He graduated well after me therefore, I first met him and brother Charles at one of the National Mary Potter Club reunions where many met for the first time and formed lasting friendships.
My heart is heavy too, I share your sorrow. I pray for your peace and comfort and that you will find comfort and joy when you make with drawls from that great bank of memories that you deposited in over the years that you shared life with Freeman.
A creative and innovative entrepreneur, beginning at age five, a good friend, a fantastic dancer, a man of smiles, lover of tennis, industrious and loyal, Freeman will be sorely missed.
In memory of Freeman, Hammie, a monetary donation will be made to the National Mary Potter Club
You have our sincere condolences for the loss of your love one. Freeman was a wonderful man and our accountant for more then 35 years. We will miss all of our long conversations and laughs we shared each tax season. He will be missed!!
Our thoughts and prayer will be with your family at this most difficult time.
To the Hammie Family,
You have our deepest sympathy in your loss. May God strengthen and comfort you at this time.
Most sincerely,
Carrie Hopes
First met “Tip” at Andrew B. Duke school, Oxford, NC in 1952. Through the years we remained genuine friends. During times when things were really difficult, Freeman mailed money so I could return to CT without me requesting. I will eternally be grateful for the friendship. RIP my brother!
Freeman, when I first met you on the the tennis court you told me I wasn’t good enough to hit the lines. I want to thank you for making me good enough. Rest in Peace! My condolences to the family he will be missed.