Laura Hammons

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Laura Faye Hammons, age 88, of Lamar, Missouri passed away June 30, 2023, at Good Shepherd Community Care in Lockwood, Missouri.

Laura was born September 30, 1934 in Eldorado Springs, Missouri to Harry Pruet Esry and Mildred Leona (Sumner) Esry. Laura was a 1952 graduate of Eldorado Springs High School. 

She and Junior were married October 3, 1954, at her parents’ home in El Dorado Springs. They celebrated 68 years together, and Laura was immensely proud of the fact that “they never exchanged a cross word between them."

Those who grew up in Lamar in the ‘60s and ‘70s are most likely to remember Laura as a cashier, and later the bookkeeper, at McKay’s IGA. She also served as the administrative assistant at Farm Bureau Insurance until she and Judy bought the Mode-O-Day women’s clothing store on the south side of the Lamar square.

Laura was a very active volunteer and you would often find her at the bloodmobile drives. Laura was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she and Junior were members of the Young At Heart group and she helped to organize the lunches for bereaved families at the church. Laura and Junior enjoyed traveling with her sister and brother-in-law Elnora and Harold Seim, where they camped in all 48 continental states. They loved attending craft shows, fishing at Stockton and Truman lakes, and attending car shows with their 1950 Chevy pickup and their 1966 Ford Mustang. Many will remember Laura from her cookbooks, quilts, and pot holders that she frequently gifted. Birthdays were always important to Laura. She sent cards and always called each and every family member on their birthday.

Survivors include the love of her life, her husband Junior; one son, Jamie Hammons of Pensacola, Florida; one daughter, Judy Crockett and her husband, Darrel, of Sheldon, Missouri; five grandchildren; Sarah Hammons, Allison Hammons, Nicole Hammons, Blake (Lori) Crockett, Bradley (Jeni) Crockett; five great-grandchildren: Emersyn, Brenton, Caleb, Gentry, and Ensley; and three sisters: Roberta Esry Walker of El Dorado Springs; Barbara Esry Wallen of Stockton; and Anna Ruth Esry (Ed) Field of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Deloris Esry Nikodim and Elnora Esry Seim; one brother, Johnny Clayton Esry; and a grandson, Barry Crockett.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in Stockton City Cemetery in Stockton, MO.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at the funeral home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to the Lamar Senior Citizens Center or the First Baptist Church Hospitality Fund ( to help with funeral dinners), in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com