Ross Turner Hammonds was born in Sheffield, Alabama, July 12, 1922. He departed this earthly life August 29, 2020. After finishing Sterling High School, he went to work for T.V.A. until he was called to the U.S. Army in 1939. During his service, he received two Purple hearts, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Bronze Star, a World War II Victory Medal, Sharp-Shooter Badge and Rifle Bar, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Honorable Service lapel button before being honorably discharged in 1946.

He moved to Bessemer, Alabama, where he worked for Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing for 31 years. He became a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in 1973, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, member of the Trustee Board, and sang in the Male Chorus until his health began to fail.

To cherish his loving memories; three daughter, Frances (James) Sledge of Cleveland, Ohio, Saundra H. McDougall of Birmingham, Alabama, and Luevenia H. Barnes of Pleasant Grove, Alabama; son, Reverend Quinton E. (Mary) Hammonds of Hueytown, Alabama; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a devoted friend, Elizabeth Skipworth; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.