Norma Jean Hammett

Norma Jean (West) Hammett, age 97, of Beebe, passed away July 2, 2026, at the Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at Good Shepherd in Little Rock.

Mrs. Hammett was born July 30, 1928, in Austin, Arkansas, to Otha Francis West and Mamie Ola (Sipes) West. A graduate of Ward High School, she married Rev. Gerald Dewey Hammett on May 10, 1947, beginning 56 years of marriage and shared ministry. Together they served United Methodist churches throughout the North Arkansas Conference, including a term as Batesville District Superintendent.

She was preceded in death by her parents; all her siblings; her husband; and her only child, Rev. Rita Kaye Hammett Evans.

She is survived by her three grandchildren, Rev. Dr. Hammett N. Evans (Michelle Pounds) of Little Rock; Brice Evans (Hannah) of Jonesboro; and Eleanor Evans of Beebe; and by her only great-grandchild, Sawyer Dewey Evans.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the loving care she received at Andover Place and from the nurses, CNAs, and staff at Good Shepherd.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11, at First United Methodist Church, 302 N. Main Street, Beebe, Arkansas, followed by a celebration of death and resurrection at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Keith Coker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Methodist Family Health Foundation, 1600 Aldersgate Road, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72205, or at mfhfoundation.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Westbrook Funeral Home in Beebe, with burial at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens.