Robert Hammonds Jr. (Ricky) died Dec. 14 in Snellville. He was born in 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Hammonds join Bethlehem Baptist Church at an early age. He sang in the choir and later served as superintendent of the Sunday School. He attended Washington Street Elementary School and R. L. Cousins High School. He graduated from Newton County High School in 1968 where he was the first black to play football for the Newton County Rams. He was also the first black to graduate from Oxford College of Emory University. He received an academic scholarship. He was employed by Mobil Chemical Co. for 27 years. After retirement, he was employed as operations manager by Buckhead Bulldog Movers. Mr. Hammonds was formerly married to Bernice Usher and in 2000 married Vicki Holbrooks.

Surviving are wife Vicki of Snellville; daughter Vernisha Latonia Hammonds of Loganville; son Dylan Sears of Snellville; father John Hammonds Sr. (Little Daddy) and step-mother Mary Hammonds; brother Mr. and Mrs. Raymond (Nadene) Hammonds of Monroe; sisters Yolande Copeland of Atlanta, Michelle Hammonds of Cleveland, Ohio, Monica (Archie) Williams of LeClaire, Iowa, Nolita Salter of Mountain House, Calif.; niece and nephew Erika and Christian Williams, LeClaire; special uncle Bennie Hammonds, Covington; great-uncle Emmitt Hammonds, Atlanta; great-aunt Irene Boswell, Atlanta; father- and mother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. George (Jaynelle) Holbrooks, Mt. Airy; a host of uncles, aunts, relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at noon Dec. 17 at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Pastor H.K. Benton Jr. officiating. Interment followed in the Oxford Historical Cemetery.