James L. Hammond resided in Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in Fort Smith. He was born November 17, 1936 in Branch to the late Otha Hammond and Geneva Earlene (Womack) Hammond. He was 73 years old.

He is also preceded in death by one daughter, Sarah Hammond.

James was a retired Electrical Lineman for L.E. Myers and was a retired dairy farmer. He was a member of Local Union # 700, was a 50 year member of the Charleston Masonic Lodge # 155, where he served as Past Master and District Deputy Grand Master. He was a member of the Potts Free Will Baptist Church and attended the Marietta Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Charleston.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 13th at the Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with the Rev. Vondal Davenport and the Rev. Robert Berry officiating. Interment will be at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, "With Masonic Rites", under the direction of the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; four daughters, Susan Potts & husband Karl of Charleston, Patty Stiles & husband Mike of Branch, April Edwards & husband Tommy of Branch, and Carol Wilson & husband Bruce of Alma; (13) grandchildren and (1) great grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Brian Womack, Bruce Womack, Roger Hammond, Bruce Hammond, Pete Strozier, Rod Nietert, Travis Ballard, and Jack Oehlschlager.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the County Line Class of 1954 and Masons.

Family visitation will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday night at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations be made to the Charleston Masonic Lodge Perpetual Fund @ P.O. Box 535 Charleston, AR 72933 or to the Charleston Christmas Lighting Fund @ Simmons First National Bank, Account # 17338419.

To pay an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.