Louie Mae Hamm

1908-1986

Louie Mae Hamm was one of twelve children born to Rev. Basil Hamm 1882-1967 and Missouri Lee Blanton 1892-1951. She was born on a farm in Rowan County, Kentucky, on 28 Jan 1908. Louie first married Noah Sluss. Noah and Louie had a son, Harold Adrian Sluss on 12 Nov 1924. Louie and Noan were not married long. Louie Hamm next married Leslie Medley Littleton 1882-1971 on 27 Apr 1927. Leslie had four children by a previous marriage to Pearlie L. Harper 1898-1925, Leora, Norman, Gladis and Grace. The marriage of Leslie and Louie produced thirteen additional children, Eula Letha 1928-, Christine G. 1930-1971, Lafayette Eugene 1932-, Bessie Gelores 1934-, Iris Vestal 1935-2010, William Jessie 1938-, Walter Lee 1939-, Charles David, Albert Earl 1943-1968, Fred Vincent, Rita Juanita, Missouri Jane and Kenneth R. They were all raised on the farm in Rowan County. Louie's husband Leslie Medley Littleton died on 19 Oct 1971 in Rowan County. Louie May Hamm died on 2 Mar 1986 in Morehead, Rowan. They are both buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Rowan County, Kentucky.

Story by Caroline Kay (Hargis) Kohus .

Louie May Hamm was my maternal grandma.  She was a hard working farm lady who cared well for her family.  She would rise early in the morning when grandpa and some of their sons went to the barn to milk and feed the cows.  By the time they returned to the house, she would have a breakfast prepared of homemade biscuits, gravy, ham and sausage, eggs and hot coffee, all cooked on a wood burning stove.  She cooked two additional big meals every day for ten to fifteen people.  She kept the house in order, made lye soap, churned butter, gathered wild greens from the fields for wilted salad, kept her own garden for the house, hauled water from a well, washed clothes with a washboard and wringer washer, made quilts, rugs and clothing, and took care of the chickens and ducks.  Her children and grandchildren helped in some of these chores, but Grandma Louie kept things running.  She used the extra chicken and duck eggs and some of her yummy baked goods to barter for supplies they didn't grow or make at home.  In addition to the three large meals a day, she made the best cakes, pies, and other goodies I've ever tasted.  Grandma Louie had a great laugh and when we would go to visit, she couldn't wait to give everyone of us a big hug and something to eat.  Grandma loved to sing and when she was working, she was often singing.  Louie Mae Hamm loved going to church and singing the hymns.  She also enjoyed visiting with her neighbors and relatives before and after church services.  She was a special grandma and I'm fortunate she was mine.

Rev. Basil Hamm and Missouri Lee (Blanton) Hamm with daughter Louie Mae Hamm Photo - 1908

Louisa May (Hamm) Littleton

Leslie Medley Littleton, Louisa May (Hamm) Littleton and family

(L-R)  Verginia Mae (Fisher) Blevins 1880-1965, Louie Mae (Hamm) Littleton, Kate Blanton 1895-1976, Louie May (Hamm) Littleton and son

Louie Mae Hamm and son plucking duck feathers

Daughters of Basil and Missouri Hamm, photo about 1943

(L-R) Louie May (Littleton) Hamm  holding son Albert Littleton, Viola (Hamm) McClurg, Luella (Hamm) Rigdon holding daughter Mary June Rigdon; Missouri Lee (Blanton) Hamm with Rilda McClurg on right and Buddy Joe Stidom on left; Oval (Hamm) Stidom.

    Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Rowan County, Kentucky