Betty Clement Hammond

Betty Clement Hammond of Grace Ridge in Morganton, NC died Monday, June 22, 2026. Born in New Prospect, SC, she was the daughter of the late John and Rachel Clement of Spartanburg County, SC. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary F. Hammond to whom she was married for 60 years, a daughter, Gloria Hammond, three brothers: Paul Clement on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor, Morris Clement, and Herman Clement, and three sisters: Rachel Orndorff, Frances Walkowicz, and Sarah Morris. She is survived by a daughter, Ann Hammond, of Morganton, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Hammond attended Western Carolina University and graduated from Winthrop College where she received a B.S. degree in Vocational Home Economics. She taught in Fairforest, SC and Shallotte, NC before coming to Valdese High School. She stopped teaching 11 years to raise a family, then resumed her job at Valdese High School and finished her 30-year career teaching Vocational Education at Valdese Junior High School.

Mrs. Hammond was a member of the First Baptist Church in Morganton, NC and loved the Koinonia Sunday School Class. Living at Grace Ridge gave her opportunities to serve on the Religious Life Committee and the Decorating Committee. She helped organize the Toy Makers of Grace Ridge, making all kinds of stuffed animals that were given to sick children at Grace Hospital and Valdese Hospital. She was a member of the Variety Club for 55 years, a member of the North Carolina Education Association, a member of the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees Association, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Women's Auxiliary. She was also involved with the local AARP chapter, the Blue Blazers at COMMA, and the Red Hat Society.

She loved crafts, especially making greeting cards. She enjoyed sewing, flower gardening, camping, reading, line dancing and western square dancing, playing cards, and cooking for her family and friends. To her, Food was synonymous with Love, and her Chocolate Pound Cake, German Chocolate Cake, and Cream Cheese Bread were legendary. She always knew the right thing to say and the right thing to do in any situation. She was smart and funny, always helpful, and she never complained. Like her Mother, she was a Proverbs 31 Woman. She truly made the world a better place.

A Celebration Service will be held Friday, June 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Morganton, NC with Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating. Prior to the service, friends are invited to meet with the family in the Sanctuary at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Bereavement Fund, PO Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.