Joseph Eugene (Joe) Hamm

Joseph Eugene (Joe) Hamm was born in Ramer, Tennessee August 6, 1927 to Eugene Robert and Ila McAlpin Hamm and died in Ramer, Christmas Eve, 2015. He was born into an extended family that included grandparents Lee and Molly Blasingame McAlpin and J. R. and May Huggins Hamm, as well as four great grandmothers. He was a descendent of John Hamm who served under General Marion in the Revolutionary War and settled in the Mt. Vernon community in 1826. Joe's great grandfather, A. B. Hamm, served in the Confederate Army under Col. J. Forrest's command.

The love of his life was his Ramer school sweetheart, Elizabeth Smith Hamm, who preceded him in death March 1, 2015. They were married April 25, 1948 and were devoted to each other for over 66 years.

Joe was a graduate of Ramer High School. His parents were in the first graduating class and his daughter in the last. Community and pride in a community school were important values for him. He also attended Columbia Military Academy and the University of Tennessee at Martin.
After high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving 89 days before the war ended. He returned to Ramer and worked alongside his father and grandfather, becoming the fourth generation to earn a living in A. B. Hamm & Co. For a short time following the closure of the store, Joe bought right-of-way for the state of Tennessee, then began his last career as manager of the Ramer branch of Selmer Bank & Trust Company from which he retired. Active retirement years found him and Elizabeth in their garden, canning and freezing, and enjoying their granddaughters.

Joe was approached by Mr. John Howell who was talking about selling his farm, and this began Joe's mission of insuring this unspoiled land be conserved for the use and enjoyment of all in the form of Big Hill Pond State Park. Joe served as Ramer's representative to the McNairy County Commission, was a founding member of McNairy County Chamber of Commerce, a former Scout leader and, along with his wife, treasurer of the Ramer Cemetery fund. He was a lifelong member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a democrat.

Joe is survived by his daughter, Jacque Hamm May (Jim May), of Candler, NC; son, Nelson Eugene Hamm, of Ramer, TN; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Hamm May-West (Susan May­ West) of Asheville, NC; Alexandria Jane Hamm (Charles Arutt), of Nashville, TN; sister Betty Hamm Dickinson, of Memphis, TN; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph Robert Hamm, in 1998.

Visitation will be December 30th from 10:00 until 1:00 at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Selmer, TN followed by service at 1:00 in the Shackelford chapel. Jacque Hamm May and Rev. J. D. Matlock, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Ramer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ramer Cemetery Fund, in care of Edith Wardlow, 459 Mt. Vernon Road, Ramer, TN 38367.