Lisa Renee Hammack

Lisa Renee HammAck, after a lengthy illness gained her wings on March 9, 2023. Lisa was born on January 3,
1961 to her very proud parents Ellener Hammack and William Thomas Hammack. Lisa gained her elementary
and high school education at Pumphrey Elementary School, and Brooklyn Park Jr/Sr High School. During a
very young age, Lisa sang on the EveryReady family choir where it was determined that Lisa had a gift. That
girl could sing!!!! During high school Lisa was awarded a scholarship to Peabody Conservatory of Music
where she began to embark on her singing career. Upon graduating High School, Lisa knew that she wanted
to do more than sing in the choir, she wanted to sing Opera.

She went on to perfect her skills by attending Westminster Choir College where she had many Operetic recit-
als and concents, many of which her family and friends attended. She then continued to perfect her love of

Opera at Oberlin Choir College in Ohio, during the years of 1979-1984. Lisa had very fond memories of being
there and gained lots of acquaintances and friends. She was not finished just yet with gaining more concerts,
recitals and her love of music, Opera and singing. Lisa went on to University of Maryland at College Park to
continue her musical career during which time she met her Opera idol, Leontine Price.
At some point in her life, Lisa met Raymond Wise and choir members from that choir. They were amazing
and Lisa sang with them for a while. They had concerts all over and were well known for their singing.

While Lisa was at University of Maryland at College Park, Lisa reinstated and joined a Sorority, The Pretty Poo-
dles, and Women of Substance, Sigma Gamma Rho. Lisa loved her Sorority life and introduced her friends and

family to Sorority and Fraternity life by inviting them to the Step Shows at College park! When you went to
the Step Shows, you knew you were going to be in for a good time. All the Fraternities and Sororities brought
it! You may have seen shows like them on TV, but it was Nothing like seeing them perform in person! Many
of us may have been inspired to join a sorority or fraternity because of her introduction to that life!
During her breaks from college, Lisa along with with Ms. Yolande Dickerson helped to direct the Pumphrey

Achievers at what is now known as the Lloyd Keaser Community Center. While there, she directed her rendi-
tion of the Wiz which was well attended by the community, her family and friends.

In addition to Lisa’s college life, Lisa had many fulfilling jobs. She worked at Savin Copiers with her dear
cousin Tamara, where she had to wake the napping Lisa up each day as she determined that she needed a
nap each day at the same time. Of course many of you remember her working at Fiber Clean and even may

have made some calls for her as the infamous Leanna from Fiber Clean who called to schedule carpet and up-
holstery cleanings. We are sure that Lisa made that company a lot of money for all of the phone calls she

made! Two communities that Lisa made a big impacts on were Van Bokkelen and Meade Village where she
was the Director of the Boys and Girls Club. Lisa touched so many lives when she was there by not only
providing many activities for the youth that attended, but she also planned and executed their summer camp
each year which was filled with excellent meals and things for the attendees to do. She not only assisted the
youth who attended the club, but she also was a Godsend to the parents who she assisted with numerous
resources that helped them with their families and also to land jobs. Those who met her there spoke highly

of her and all of the energy and giving of herself selflessly to all those she met at the center and the communi-
ty.

Lisa also worked for the US Census where she was a staffing manager and while there, she also took unauthor-
ized naps. She and her cousin would drive to work there while listening to audio books and laughing about how

she promised to stay awake that day. Lisa also worked a short time at Wal-Mart where she met friends and
liked working there.

The last place she worked and retired from was Baltimore City Parks and Recreation, Chic Webb in East Balti-
more. She also enjoyed being the Center Director there and creating activities for the youth and even introduc-
ing them to NFL Football players. While there, Lisa also created and maintained their Youth Summer Camp

which was a big hit. She enjoyed interacting and impacting the lives of youth.
Yes, Lisa loved working and being around youth. You could see that by the way she interacted with her own
nieces and nephews. Lisa adopted everyone’s children as her own. There was also no issue about them ever
being hungry. Lisa loved, loved, loved her family. So much so, she became the Choir Director for many years
for her family Choir. The EveryReady Chorus which consisted of only family members and direct descendants

of the original members. The choir sang at St. John United Methodist Church for many Sundays and also at oth-
er Churches, family functions and choir anniversaries. She would direct the choir and forget the words and eve-
ryone would laugh about it as they sang. Lisa loved the choir and they loved her. She and EJ were always

laughing and getting into it when she would tell him what the choir was going to sing and he had other ideas
and would play something else. She would just shake her head and laugh and go with it as the choir followed
His lead! The choir will miss their director and all of her antics so much.
There was something else that Lisa did. She started reading Black Authors and then introduced her family and
friends to Black Authors who most didn’t even know existed. She directed them to Black owned book stores
where they began to purchase Black written books. Then, she came up with the idea of a book club, and the
rest is history. Her family and friends became members of The Ebony Eyes Book Club. The club hosted authors
in their homes and even had EEBC gear thanks to her Sister Pat and her amazing embroidering skills! The club

had T-shirts, sweat shirts, polos, pants, skirts, watches, and everything with the logo that Natasha Routh-
Smith’s husband created. Pat even made pillows, backpacks, quilts with members names on them to take on a

trip to the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta.
The Book club even attended The very first National Book Club conference in and took it by storm. That Ebony
Eyes logo was everywhere! Ebony Eyes even won several awards while they were there.
From the adult book club Lisa created the Cheetah Girls Youth book club was formed where they read Black
authors as well and did several events and activities centered around the books.
To say the least, Lisa has impacted so many lives in so many ways during her life. Even during her illness she
was the caregiver for her Brother and Sister. Everyone will smile with their memories of her. We all know that
she lived a life of selfless giving and we all received what she gave. One thing for certain, we know life without
her will never be the same. Rest in Heaven Lisa. We know you are now directing the family choir.
Lisa was preceded in death by her Brother, Van Hammack, and Sister-In-Law, Kimberly Hammack. She leaves to

cherish her memories, Brother, Ray (Tony) Anthony Merritt, Sister, Pamela Jones (David), Brother, Kevin Ham-
mack, Eric Hammack, Sr. (Thea), Sister Norene Hammack and Sister-In-Law, Pamela Yerby-Hammack (Van),

GodChildren, Kendra Carter, Chris Carter and Davon Carter. Lisa leaves to mourn a young lady who was very
special and integral in her life, Taria Gibbs, a devoted friend, Gabriel Goodman, devoted Cousins Katasha Smart
Minerva (Missy) Alburg, Tamara Hatcher and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.