Billie Hammer

SCOTTSBORO Billie Marie Hammer passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 after an extended illness. A 60 year resident of Scottsboro, Ala., she was the wife of Walter Brownlow Hammer Jr. who preceded her in death on Aug. 20, 2000. Billie was born March 24, 1928 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she attended Central High School. While at Central, Billie was selected Miss Central High School. At Central, Billie met her future husband, Walt Hammer. They married in 1947 and moved to Scottsboro in 1950 for Walt's job. After raising three children, Billie graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1974. She taught Alabama History and Civics at Scottsboro Jr. High School for seventeen years. Billie loved bargain shopping and spent many Saturday mornings at Unclaimed Baggage. Out of this experience came her idea for the creation of the Scottsboro Jr. High Attic Sale which raised thousands of dollars for the Junior High over the years. Billie loved travelling and enjoyed many trips to Europe with Walt including Switzerland, Spain and England. She also enjoyed sewing, crafts, genealogy and gardening in which she obtained her Master Gardener designation. Billie was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Scottsboro Tree Commission and the Christmas Festival Committee. Billie was Walt's secret weapon in his successful run for Mayor of Scottsboro in 1988. She loved Scottsboro and enjoyed participating side by side with Walt in many civic activities. She will always be remembered by her family and friends as a true Southern lady with a constant smile and a positive attitude. She is survived by her three children, Nancy Bradford, of Scottsboro, Michael Hammer, of Atlanta, Ga., Stephen Hammer, of Huntsville, Ala.; a son-in-law, Dr. Charles Bradford; two daughters-in-law, Rachel Hammer and Sharon Hammer; her brother Joe Frank, of Jacksonville, Fla.; a special sister in law, Anna Harte Frank, of Marietta, Ga.; and 8 grandsons, Chad, Walton and Bo Bradford, Robert, Benjamin and Carson Hammer, Shelby and Skyler Hammer; 6 great granddaughters and 1 great-grandson. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, an infant grandson, Jennings Edwards Bradford; her sister Bettye Hill; and a brother, Clarence Frank. A celebration of Billie's life will be held at 2 p.m. (CDT), Tuesday, Oct. 15, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Rev Dex Bender officiating. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. (CDT). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Scottsboro Public Library or the Scottsboro-Jackson County Heritage Center.