Elizabeth Fleming Hammett

‘And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.’ – Roald Dahl

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Elizabeth “Beth” Fleming Hammett, 86, of Durham, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025. She was born on February 13, 1939, at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Dr. and Mrs. William Leroy Fleming.

Beth graduated from Chapel Hill High School on June 1, 1956, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Science Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on June 6, 1961. She later completed an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing from Wake Technical Institute on August 17, 1979, and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on August 15, 1983.

A lifelong learner and creative spirit, Beth was a talented textile, jewelry, and watercolor artist. She shared her kindness and gifts generously with those around her, finding joy in creating beauty from nature and simple materials. Beth was an active member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and a proud sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

Beth is survived by her sons John W. Hammett of Chesapeake Beach, MD, Walter D. Hammett of Hillsborough, NC, her grandchildren Chris and Megan Hammett of Durham, NC and Ian and Juliana Hammett of Chesapeake Beach, MD and her sisters Anne Ocorr, of New Bern, NC, Mary Davidson, of New Bern, NC and Jane Heaton of Chapel Hill, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 2pm at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 403 E. Main St. Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church or the Durham Arts Council.

https://stphilipsdurham.org/give/

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/durhamartscouncil

The Hammett family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences may be shared at www.hallwynne.com.