Clarence Jerome Hamm

The Reverend Clarence Jerome Hamm, affectionately known as “Hambone,” of Tiger, GA, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 5:45 AM. The celebration of life service will be held on October 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Nacoochee Presbyterian Church located at 260 GA Highway 255 North Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 (706) 878-2226

Jerome was born on June 9, 1936, in Louisville, Alabama. He was the cherished only child of Kelsey and Annabelle Hamm. Jerome’s life was a testament to two profound loves: his unwavering devotion to Christ and His church, and the deep, enduring love for his wife, Erah Maxine Hamm, who preceded him in death on March 17, 2020. Their love story began in high school, when Jerome boldly declared to his friends, “One day I am going to marry that girl!” His prophecy came true when they were married on June 9, 1956, at Prospect Baptist Church near Louisville. Their bond, lasting over seven decades, remained steadfast through life’s many challenges.

Jerome began his ministry while still a senior in high school and dedicated his life to serving nearly twenty different congregations. His legacy is not just in his biological lineage but in the countless lives touched and transformed by his lifelong service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Embodying the Wesleyan spirit, Jerome viewed the world as his parish, extending compassion and mercy to everyone he met—whether they were congregation members, inmates, or those in need on the streets. He greeted all with the spirit of prevenient grace, embodying the profound truth of Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” and the unity expressed in the Great Thanksgiving: “By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other.”

The life and ministry of Jerome Hamm can be beautifully summed up by the Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands. Yours are the feet. Yours are the eyes. You are his body.”

Jerome’s legacy of love and faith will continue to inspire all who knew him. He will be dearly missed but his spirit and impact will remain in the hearts of those he touched throughout his remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Murphy-Harpst Home for Children in Cedartown, GA. https://murphyharpst.org/murphy-harpst-100/

Jerome is survived by:

Children and spouses: Felicia & Bruce Partain, Hans & Margaret Hamm, and Liana & David Smith. Grandchildren and spouses: Adria (Partain) & Kris Smallwood Deirdre (Partain) & Chris Tiller Donovan Partain & Ammaly Siriphongsavath Julian & Paula Tunno (Hamm) Meg Tunno (Hamm) Kelsey Smith Isaac Smith

Great Grandchildren: Jonathan Kee (Hamm) Ana-Margaret & Garrett Byrd (Hamm) Leigh Tunno Emily Tunno Kele Smallwood Caiden Partain Cole Smallwood Willow Partain Wyatt Partain

Great-Great Grandchildren: Haven Byrd