Sylvia Ann Hammond

Sylvia was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on Dec 2, 1938, to loving parents, Wayne and Becky Fulk, who preceded her in death. She grew up an only child but was surrounded by a large extended family and close friends, a situation she would carry throughout her life.

Following her graduation from high school, Sylvia entered the workforce for a few years. She spent a memorable two-year stint working as a telephone operator — a position she very much enjoyed — which came to a close just a few weeks before her wedding. Before their marriage on Sept. 1, 1960 in High Point, Alabama, Sylvia and her husband, Jimmy D. Hammond, struck a deal: Jim would make the money and Sylvia would devote herself to creating a home and raising the kids. It was a partnership they stuck with for 65 years. Accompanying Jim in his numerous job transfers, Sylvia always adapted beautifully, forging solid, lasting friendships in each new location. No matter where the family found themselves, she successfully created a warm, welcoming home.

To her creating a home always meant feeding people. An avid collector and reader of cookbooks, her kitchen was the heart of her home. Her signature chocolate cake, special pepperoni rolls, and taco dip were just a few of the dishes that scores of hungry teenagers, and countless others, will always remember her for. In later years, Sylvia became known as the âcat lady.ã

Her home was never without at least one pampered feline companion and scores of cat paraphernalia. She was well known for her extensive collection of signature cat-themed clothing and jewelry. Above all, her ability to deeply listen and share a good laugh were the qualities that made the people she cared about feel like family.

Long before her first grandchild came along, she was dubbed Suey by a friend’s son. The name stuck and came to embody her unique way of loving the people lucky enough to know her.

In addition to her beloved husband, Jim, she is survived by her children, Lisa Martin (and Brad) and Bradley Hammond (and Brandy) all of Elkins. She was the proud grandmother of Nigel (and Sarah), Ian (and Janel), and Adam (Elizabeth) Martin, and Nicholas, Braden (Sydney), Allysun, and Carter Hammond. She enjoyed her 11 great-grandchildren, as well as quite a few “unofficial grandchildren,” who knew they could count on an open door, and probably a sandwich, at Suey’s house.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins. A Celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday with Brad Martin officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Elkins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sylvia’s memory to one of the following nonprofits: WV Caring https://www.wv caring.org/donate-to-wv-caring/, Interact Children’s Museum https://interactchildrensmuseum.org/donate or Randolph County Humane Society https://www.rchswv.org /info/display?PageID=15085.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Sylvia Ann Hammond.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.