Tanya Rene Hammonds' Obituary
Tanya Rene Hammonds, a dedicated, faithful witness of Jehovah for 50 years, as of March 10th of this year, was born December 28, 1956, in Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee to the late Dora Yvonne Green and Johnny Newsome. She peacefully fell asleep in death at home surrounded by loved ones on March 15, 2025.
Tanya moved to Chattanooga in the early 80’s, where she met and married the love of her life, Alphonza Hammonds, Sr., on August 6, 1983. They were happily married for almost 35 years. As the oldest child and devoted sister, she had a role in raising her siblings, so it made it easy for her to not only embrace him but also wholeheartedly welcomed his six children. She became their friend, confidant, and devoted mother, offering unwavering love and support. Her heart grew even fuller with the addition of two daughters of her own, making their family complete.
Tanya received her education in the Nashville Public Schools. She worked over 20 years for Hamilton County Schools as an Educational Assistant in the Pre K Program. Her Pre K babies, as she lovingly called them, always had a special place in her heart.
Tanya was very dainty and graceful but also very determined and spirited. She cherished spending time with friends and, most of all, her family–whether it was enjoying picnics with her girls, shopping with and for her nieces, letting her grandbabies loose in their favorite store or visiting her annoying younger brother and his lovely wife and other family in Nashville. She had a deep passion for music, dancing and cooking, and was well known for her hot water cornbread and chess pie.
One of her greatest joys was our family vacations, a tradition that held some of her fondest memories and one she very much wanted her family to continue. She was also an avid walker and treasured her peaceful strolls with her husband and best friend, which became a treasured part of her daily routine.
Tanya was also full of wisdom and great advice to share, giving valuable life lessons rooted in God’s Word, the Bible. Her warmth, advice, laughter and energetic playful manner, that not everyone got the opportunity to see and her unwavering love for Jehovah left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
Tanya is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alphonza Hammonds, Sr.; her parents, Dora Yvonne Walker and Johnny Newsome, Sr.; one sister, Pamela Pitts; and a brother, Johnny Newsome, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory: eight children, LaTanya (Greg) Rogers, Tiffany Hammonds, Alana Joye (CJ) Hammonds, Reginald Hammonds, Alquintin (Donna) Hammonds, Altres Hammonds, Alphonza (Mona) Hammonds, and Carla (Tracy) Blake, all of Chattanooga, TN; four brothers, Randall (Linda) Green, Anthony Green, Timothy (Felicia) Hawkins, and Thymus (Sharon) Ferby; three sisters, Sharon Debardeleben, Phyllis Bradley, and Adonis (Keith) Perry; and an array of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tanya will be deeply missed by her children; grandchildren; siblings; nieces; and nephews; and a host of extended family; friends; and spiritual brothers and sisters. Her family finds great comfort in the resurrection hope, knowing they will see her again in Jehovah’s new world.
A Memorial Service for Tanya will be Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Avondale Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with Brother Charles Williams giving the Discourse. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.
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