Obituary of Ardith Hattie Stewart Hamm

The South Jefferson Four Corners mourns and celebrates Ardith Hamm’s home going to her Heavenly Father on February 21, 2024.

Ardith was born to John T. and Laura “Belle” Welch Stewart on March 21, 1924 during an intense snowstorm. Her father met Doctor Safford on the “main” road from Stamford and brought him to Grandma Hattie Welch’s home by horse and sleigh where Doctor Safford delivered Ardith the next day.

Ardith was born and grew up on the South Jefferson Four Corners, attending the South Jefferson School District 9’s one-room school house which would eventually be her home.  Ardith attended the Stamford Seminary for later elementary grades and eventually graduated from the Stamford Central School.

Ardith attended Baptist Bible Seminary, then in Johnson City, NY.  Ardith returned home to her family’s dairy farm and on November 14, 1948 she married the man down the road, Kenneth Hamm, at the South Jefferson Baptist Church where they both attended, serving their Lord.

Kenneth and Ardith bought the South Jefferson School House at an auction in 1948 and spent the next three years renovating it into their home where they both lived until their deaths.

Ardith’s relationship with her Lord and Savior was precious and personal. She often taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  She lived her love for Jesus by serving others.  The Hamm home often had visitors staying for a drop-in meal.  She was a strong woman raising four children and loving on her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Ardith  often attended their soccer and basketball games.  She was the grandma “next door” also known as “Turbo Grandma”.

Ardith was predeceased by Kenneth in 1994. She is survived by Darlene Yamane and her children Kent (Aditi), Erik, Megumi (Brant), and Naomi; Laureen (Dennis) Lawrence and their children Amber (Gregg) Johns, and Joshua (Melissa) Lawrence: Stewart Hamm and his children Jeremy (Jodie) Hamm, and Vanessa: Allison Hamm and her son Justin. Her beloved great grandchildren are Andrew and Austin Johns; Emmalyn Lawrence; Tucker, Beckett and Kenna Hamm; and Maddox Musella.

Ardith’s family would like to thank her very special and dearly loved caregivers Cheryl Kelly, Maggie Maben, Diane Kelly, and Ellie Curless whose loving care helped enable Ardith to stay in her home.  Oneonta Helios (Hospice) care was such a blessing as we faced the last few months.  A special thank you to Becca, Joyce, Dr. Christian Mulik and Marly. We also thank The Stamford Family Practice, especially Christy O'Donnell and Rene, for their loving care of Ardith for many years.

A service will be held at Flat Creek Baptist Church, 849 Flat Creek Road, Gilboa, NY on March 9th at 11AM with a luncheon following at the church.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

For Checks: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, c/o Amber Johns,  152 MT Path, Middleburgh, NY 12122. Please include  “In memory of Ardith Hamm” in the note

If you wish to use a link: https://my.fca.org/?form=nyupstatelegacyfund

It’s the “Legacy fund”. Please put “in honor of Ardith Hamm” when making a donation.

Or to Helios Care (formerly called Hospice), 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1

Oneonta, NY 13820, www.helioscare.org

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with Ardith’s family.