Joseph Ernest Hammons

Joseph Ernest Hammons, 94, Pensacola Beach, Florida, formerly of Poplar Bluff went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2007.

Born May 17, 1913 in Leeper, Missouri, Ernest and his family moved to Poplar Bluff when he was five years old. He graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and went to work for Jim Hogg's grocery business. He married Jim Hogg's oldest daughter, Dorothy Mae, and spent 30 years as a partner in Jim Hogg's Super Market. Following his career in the grocery business, Ernest and his business partner and best friend, John Greer, both forward-looking entrepreneurs, were among the first to recognize the trend and bring the fast-food business to Poplar Bluff by opening a Burger Chef Restaurant which later became Hardees, opening more Hardees in Poplar Bluff and Malden. In addition to the Burger Chef operation, Ernest and John, seeing a need for quality entertainment for families and young people, opened an indoor roller skating center, Skate City. Ernest could always be counted upon to support local fund-raising projects in Poplar Bluff.

Always faithful to his church, First Baptist, Ernest was a lifelong deacon, chairing the deacons and other significant committees during the growing years of First Baptist and its move from downtown to its present location on Hwy. 67N. His favorite commitment was as teacher for 65 years of the Golden Rule Men's Bible Class until he felt ""his memory was beginning to fail him.""

In his last years, Ernest moved to Pensacola, FL, to be near his children, Joe, Lynda, and Sally. He never stopped talking about and missing his friends, neighbors, and employees at Hardees in Poplar Bluff. Ernest will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He was always there to help those in need. As one of his lifelong friends said at his 80th birthday celebration, Ernest was one of the most generous people he had ever known.

Survivors include their children, Margaret and her husband Robert Royster, Jr., their sons, Robert and his wife Ashley, and Bill and his wife Robin; Lynda and her husband, Les Austin, their daughters Lyndsey and her husband Randall McElwain, and Leslie and her husband Brian Mead; Joe and his twins, Mary Lauren and Wesley; Sally and her children, Ryan and Amy and her husband Darin Churchward. In addition, Ernest was fortunate to live long enough to enjoy his 11 great grandchildren. He enjoyed his extended family which included his nephew, Gene's former wife Pauline Hammons and their children, Aaron, Sheila and Cheryl.

His beloved wife for 48 years, Dorothy, died in 1984 following 26 years of cancer treatments and surgeries. He was also preceded in death by his parents, William E. and Lida Dunn Hammons; his brothers, Eugene, Earl, and Edmund, and his nephew who grew up with them, Gene.

The family of Ernest Hammons would like to extend a sincere thank you to Emma Johnson, his caregiver for the past two years. Her special care and compassion truly enabled him to comfortably stay in his home.

The visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, in Poplar Bluff. A service of remembrance and celebration of his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Mr. Hammons may be made to First Baptist Church, 551 North Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.