Byrd Hammett

Published 5:21 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Byrd Lucius Hammett, 92, passed away peacefully the morning of Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 after a short illness.

Born in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 15, 1922, and moving to Greenville, S.C. at one month old, she was raised and lived in Greenville until moving to Landrum, S.C. in 1993. Her parents, John Thompson and Claire Smith Lucius, preceded her in death.

Byrd attended Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Va. and graduated from the University of South Carolina, majoring in art design and sociology. After college, she worked for the American Red Cross and Delta Airlines.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Byrd was a lady of many talents. She was an interior decorator, a children’s buyer for Ivey’s and Meyers-Arnold, owner of Pooh Corner Children’s Shop, as well as the Clemson Pet Shop, Embroidery Shop, Hollydale Bed and Breakfast and Two Birds Antiques. As a house designer, she built many houses in Greenville in the 1950’s and 60’s. She was a Master Gardener, an avid reader, and enjoyed traveling. She was a member of the Greenville Jr. League and being a talented seamstress, she made many costumes for the Greenville Little Theatre.

Byrd is survived by three daughters, Melissa Hammett Parker and husband Gene, Shannon Byrd Hammett and Josephine Hammett-Shackleford and husband Cary; a grandson, Whit Parker and wife Nicole of Orlando, Fla.; and great-granddaughters Ellie Ann Parker and Lilian Marie Parker; step grandson Greg Parker and wife LuAnn of Peachtree City, Ga.; step-great-granddaughters, Laurel Ann Parker, Merritt Elaine Parker, and Kayden Elizabeth Parker; a step-granddaughter, Dana Parker Norden; and a step-great-grandson Reid Parker Norden of Fort Myers, Fla.; a sister, Anne Lucius McCants of Columbia, S.C.; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Byrd will be remembered for her boundless energy, caring spirit and warm southern hospitality.

A graveside service will be held for Byrd, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 in Springwood Cemetery at 11 a.m. in downtown Greenville. A reception to celebrate her life will be at the Poinsett Hotel in the Francis Marion Room, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Landrum Public Library, 111 Asbury Drive, Landrum, S.C. 29356.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.mackeymortuary.com

The Mackey Mortuary