Mrs. Willie Mae Calhoun Gilyard Hammond

Willie Mae Gilyard Hammond was born on March 9, 1946, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  On Thursday, October 10, 2019, she took leave of this world.  She entered the presence of God and joined an innumerable host of beloved family members while surrounded by family members, at her home, in Columbia, South Carolina.

In 1954, Willie Mae’s family relocated from Orangeburg, South Carolina, to the State Park Community in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended the public schools of Richland County School District Two, ending her education at Bethel-Hanbury High School.

At an early age, Willie Mae attended Zion Canaan Baptist Church. In later years, she restored her fellowship at Zion Canaan and was baptized.

Willie Mae began her career at the Department of Mental Health working at various locations.  She later returned to the agency and retired in 2008 after over 23 consecutive years of service.

Willie Mae’s life was her family and her love for them was true.  She did her best to support each family member every chance she could.  She was a member of the ladies’ social group, “Cousins Loving Cousins”.  The group of friends treated each other as family and met socially monthly and also traveled together.  She also loved traveling with her family and friends.  She will be missed dearly by all who loved her.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, the late Alonzo, Gilyard, Sr. and Lillie Mae Brown Gilyard; one son, Stephon Hammond; two brothers, Alonzo Gilyard, Jr. and Johnny Gilyard; two sisters, Wanda Brown and Ollie Mae Calhoun; and one grandson, Christopher Bishop.

Willie Mae is survived by her loving husband of over fifty-six years, Alfred Hammond; two daughters, Angela Hammond and Lenora (Vindell) Williams; one son, Darryl (Angela) Hammond; two sisters, Ginger (Ronald) Benjamin and Gloria Gilyard; three brothers, Larry Gilyard, Roosevelt Gilyard and Ricky (Mary) Gilyard; seven grandchildren: Steven Patterson, Stephanie Gilyard, Melaney and Jaylen Anderson, Joseph and Danny Bishop, and Jessica McClay all of Columbia, SC, and Asia Williams of Hampton, VA; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one uncle, Raymond Gilyard of Brooklyn, NY; one aunt, Loretta Garvin of Branchville, SC; sister-in-law, Pat Gilyard; brothers-in-law, Clayron Hammond, Ike (Martha) Hammond, and Cleveland Hammond; aunts-in-law, Arletha and Erma Gilyard both of Brooklyn, NY and Angie Gilyard of Charleston, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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