Lois M. (Drager) Hammond

Lois M. (Drager) Hammond, 96, died Saturday, December 23, 2023, at her home in Asheville, North Carolina – surrounded by her immediate family members. She was active and engaged up to her death – enjoying her extended family and home in NC.  Lois was married to Spencer Benjamin Hammond for 54 years – who died in 2003, and she was an active partner with Spencer at their Red Rooster Farm just south of Stewartstown PA.

Services celebrating Lois’ life will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Stewartstown Presbyterian Church, 14 College Ave., Stewartstown. There will be an informal gathering at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. - officiated by Reverend Melisa McDade. A luncheon will follow the service in the church fellowship hall – allowing for more time for friends and family of Lois to visit and re-establish connections. Following the service, Interment of her ashes will occur at Stewartstown Cemetery. Those who would like to join the family at the graveside for a brief period after the lunch are welcome.

Born October 8, 1927, in Mt. Wolf, PA, Lois was the daughter of Viola Strayer Drager and Lawrence Drager, both deceased.  Also predeceasing Lois were her sister- and brother-in-law, Kathryn (Hammond) Lynch and Harvey Lynch, her brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Ann Drager, her sister Elfreda Baker Herbst and her husband, Philip Herbst.  As well as her niece, Christine Herbst and her nephew Robert Drager.

Lois graduated from William Penn High School, Class of 1945, and York Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1948, and is a member of the alumni association.  She worked in nursing for 50 years, first at York Hospital, then as the office nurse for Dr. John Trimmer in York PA.  She moved on from there to work at SpiriTrust Lutheran Social Services and the BJE Nursing and Rehab center in Shrewsbury PA. In her “spare” time, and in addition to helping out at the Red Rooster Farm, she volunteered for the Southern York County Food Pantry. She was a member of the Stewartstown Presbyterian Church, served as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon, and was a member of the Presbyterian Women and of Eastern Star – Triangle Chapter No. 483 in Shrewsbury PA.  Lois was dearly loved by her immediate and extended family, and her many close friends with whom she remained in close contact and will be missed. Through her nursing career, she helped a large number of people in their times of need.  She is survived by her son, Philip S. Hammond and his wife, Sally A. Shumaker, granddaughter, Ariel Shumaker-Hammond and her husband, Andrew Hill, grandson, Gavin Shumaker-Hammond and his wife, Danielle Hammond, and her three great-grandchildren, Luca, Vivian & Ronan Hill – all who lived near her in Asheville NC.  Other members of Lois’ extended family include her five nephews and their families: Stefan Herbst, and Mark, Tim, Jim and Steve Drager; and two nieces – Denise Cook and Carol Stellwagon.  Finally, Lois’s family would like to add their personal appreciation to her many friends who remained in contact with her when she moved south to be closer to her son and his family, and for the wonderful care she received from the staff at Arbor Terrace – her home - in Asheville NC.

Contributions in Lois's name may be made to Stewartstown Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 277, Stewartstown, PA 17363. Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., Stewartstown, is assisting the family.