Emory Sontley Hammond

Emory Sontley Hammond, a resident of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, June 17, 2026. He was born December 6, 1940, in Sumter, South Carolina to the late William and Callie Mae Hammond,  but was raised in Freeport, Florida. The first job he ever held was with a survey crew, then moved on to a new job (Vitro) for 10 years at Eglin. After Eglin, he started his own business called Hammond Nursery and Feed. He completed his work years working as a boat captain with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For relaxation, he loved to ride horses, attending rodeos and being a helping hand to other farmers and was affectionately known as the neighborhood veterinarian.  Every year Emory dedicated the weeks prior to Christmas to hanging and arranging Christmas lights at his home for the neighborhood to enjoy, families would come from all around to drive through and admire.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Edwina Hammond; son, Robert Emory Hammond; siblings, Vester, Scott, and Joe Hammond, GL, Wray, and Harold Caswell, Maude Wilcox, Sadie Williams, Kathrene Riley, and Clarkie Wiechel; and daughter-in-law, Sheila Hammond.

Emory is survived by two children, William L “Bill” Hammond and Carol Richardson (Steve);daughter-in-law, Tanya Hammond; grandchildren, Jaretta K. Hoglo (JD), Jimmie Beth Hammond, Robert Wesley Richardson, Devin Shea Richardson (Carl), Justin Hammond (Heather), Jayson Hammond, Kaleb Teal, and Katelyn Teal; great-grandchildren, Kaylie and Colton Hoglo, Jada Fretwell, Hoyt Rushing, and Talon Hammond; sibling; Nellie Waggoner; and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank his special nurses, Julie Elio and Kiyonna Pate that took such extroidinary care of him. We would also like to thank the loving staff of Sodalis.

Those asked to serve as pallbearers: Wes Richardson, Tony Alford, Tim Alford, Carl Douglass, Shane Waggoner, and Dustin Hammond.

Funeral services will be held, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Minister Joel Davis officiating. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Committal services will follow at Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.