Oct 27, 2018

Amy Rozmus Hammond, 64, beloved child of God, joined her Lord Monday, October 22, 2018, following a fearless and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born February 19, 1954, in the small Western Pennsylvania town of Atlasburg to John and Leopolda Rozmus, Amy lived a happy, simple life with her parents and older sister. She graduated from Burgettstown High School and Muskingum College, Ohio. In 1979, she married James Hammond, following him around the country as he moved from basketball coaching and teaching positions at Muskingum College, then to Tiffin, Norfolk State, Hampton and Chowan Universities, becoming his faithful and lifelong “assistant” coach.

Amy had a career that began as a youth coordinator for nine Guernsey County Methodist churches, including a stint as a protective case worker with Guernsey County Children’s Services Board and Catholic Social Services in Zanesville, Ohio; teaching English and math classes at Stauzenberger College; and acting as human resources director for Muskingum College, and later Fostoria City Hospital. For the past 15 years, she established herself at the Oceana Navy Exchange (NEX) in a variety of roles, the titles of which didn’t matter because she loved the mission and people of the NEX so much.

Amy had two children to whom she gave so much of herself to give them a happy upbringing: daughter Leah Marie Wells (Thomas) of London, England, and son, James Luke Hammond of Virginia Beach. She was just as loving to grandchildren Maybelle, Elsbeth and Cecily Wells, traveling across the ocean to be present for each of their births. She also leaves behind her sister, Rosalind Resnik (Karl) of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother-in-law David Hammond (Beverly) of Columbus, Ohio; sister-in-law Barbara (Kent) Jones of Edmond, Okla.; nieces Rebekah Resnik and Melanie Jones; and mother-in-law Mary Hammond; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A lifelong follower of Christ and a member of grace Bible Church, Amy was active in prayer and community groups. She was an artist who loved nature, gardening, horses and music – taking up violin at age 60 – and was a volunteer at Equikids. She was a friend to many and will be dearly missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 29, in Grace Bible Church, 2956 Ansol Lane, Virginia Beach, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Equikids, to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to the Amy Rozmus Hammond Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund at Chowan University.