Mr. Wendell Lewis Hammons, 80, of Barbourville, passed away Thursday morning, September 24, 2026 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He was born May 23, 1946 at Baughman, the son of the late Leamon Lee and Dicie Baker Hammons.
Wendell was a retired CSX locomotive engineer and a member of Mountain. Lodge 187 F & AM. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Barbourville, where he attended the Fishermen Sunday School Class and a former member of the Turkey Creek Baptist Church. Wendell loved to fish and care for “Lulabell”, his Berna-Doodle. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his beloved girlfriend of the last 20 years, the lovely Reva Murphy.
On September 5, 1964, he united in marriage with Betty Lawson and to this union four children were born.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Mozella Hammons Maley and brothers, Walter Ray “Waldo” Hammons and Claude “Buck” Hammons and brother-in-law, Bill Corey.
Survivors include his loving children, Wendell L. “Skip” Hammons Jr. and wife, Teresa, Ronda J. Abner and husband, Mark, and Suzanne L. Barnhill Vaughn and husband, Jonathon, all of Barbourville and Wendolyn K. Tye and husband, Charles, of Corbin; sister, Axie Katherine Corey of Bimble; treasured grandchildren, Will Hammons, Isaac Abner, Andrew Abner, Peyton Barnhill, Hallea Imel, Hannah Barnhill, Libby Vaughn, Cameron Vaughn, Cassie Vaughn, Hunter Tye and Maria Bright; great grandchildren, Titus, Isabella, Aiden and Eden Abner, Beckette Barnhill, MaryWeslea Imel, Charleston Broughton, Millie Vaughn, Rory and Rafe Tye, Lake Bright, Bennett, Owen and Lila Greenwell; special nephews, Mike Corey, Bob Corey, Jeff Corey, Roger Hammons and John Maley; among other loved ones and dear friends who will cherish his memory.
His funeral service will be conducted at the First Baptist Church of Barbourville Thursday, October 1 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Mike Jackson, Dr. Tyler Shields and Rev. Shane Bingham officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Hammons Family Cemetery at Baughman.
Casket bearers will be Isaac Abner, Andrew Abner, Peyton Barnhill, Will Hammons, Hunter Tye and Cameron Vaughn. Honorary bearers will be Ted Hobbs, Jason Grubb and the members of the Fishermen Sunday School Class
Friends may visit at the church Wednesday between 6 and 9 P.M. and Thursday after 12 Noon until the funeral hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to your local Angel Tree, First Baptist Church of Barbourville, East Barbourville Baptist Church or Turkey Creek Baptist Church in memory of Wendell.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.
