A celebration of life for Keith Hammons of Choudrant, LA will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, April 6, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Choudrant with Bro. Gil Arthur officiating. Burial will follow in the Choudrant Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston. Visitation will be held at 9:00 AM at the church.
Keith went home to be with his Heavenly Father on April 1, 2026 at the age of 89. Keith was born February 5, 1937 in Choudrant, Louisiana to Oren and Lela Mae Hammons and then moved to West Monroe as a child. He married Opal Sanderson, the love of his life, on August 18, 1957, and they had two sons: Tim and Mark. Keith and Opal lived in West Monroe for 12 years before moving to Choudrant. Keith graduated from West Monroe High School in 1955, and he retired from the paper mill in West Monroe after 44 years of service. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Choudrant, Louisiana; and his most important life decision was accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 18. He made his decision known when he walked the aisle at Highland Baptist Church while the congregation sang “Only Believe” and was baptized by Rev. Fowler Seal.
Keith enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he made many memories with friends and family in the woods and on the lake. He tended a garden for many years, and he kept a small chicken pen in his backyard. Gathering eggs from Keith’s chicken pen was a favorite pastime for kids who came to visit the Hammons’ home. Keith enjoyed working with his hands. Some of the treasured hand-made gifts Keith crafted for his friends and family include wooden swings, hammocks, boat paddles, and paper weights. Keith loved his family as well as his “other kids” Mandy, Terry, and Anna, children of Wayne and Sharon Brooks. Keith’s friendship with the Brooks’ family spanned many years and is best described by Proverbs 18:24, “…. there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Keith was preceded in death by his parents Oren and Lela Mae Hammons; his twin brother Rufus Kenneth Hammons; and his father- and mother-in-law Jack and Maudie Mae Sanderson.
Keith is survived by his wife of 68 years, Opal Hammons of Choudrant, LA, as well as sons Tim Hammons and friend Debra of Choudrant, LA; and Mark Hammons and wife Carla of Ruston, LA; granddaughter Abbie Malone and husband Reggie of Marion, LA; and great-granddaughter Hailyn Phillips and great-grandson Oak Malone. He is also survived by sister Jane Boyd and
husband Harry of Shreveport, LA; nephew Kris Boyd and wife Ann of Tulsa, OK; great-nephews Mason Boyd and Collier Boyd, and a host of friends.
Pallbearers are Randy Aaron, Brandon Chandler, Landon Chandler, Bobby Joe Milner, Kris Boyd, and Gary Parnell. Honorary pallbearers are Jake Jacobson, Wayne Brooks, Don Calhoun, Allen Parnell, Harry Boyd, and Lamar Spillers.
The family extends their gratitude to the Elara Caring Hospice team for their care and support during this difficult time. A special thank you to Katie, Tamla, David, and Jayme for the care and comfort provided to Keith during his last days.
