Anita S. Hammerbeck

Anita Stoddard Hammerbeck, wife of Allan Walter Hammerbeck, passed away September 6, 2026, of pancreatic cancer. She and Al were best friends for 30 years before their marriage on April 15, 2006. Anita was the only child of the late David Dupree Stoddard and Maudie Johnson Stoddard. Born July 7, 1946, and a proud member of Greer High School class of 1964, she graduated in 1968 from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. degree in nursing. Having worked for 2 years in community mental health, she then graduated in 1972 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an M.S. degree in Psychiatric Nursing. Her 28 year career was then spent at the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center, a part of the S.C. Department of Mental Health. She retired in 2001 as the assistant director. She enjoyed music, especially singing in large community choirs like the Spartanburg Symphony/ Festival Chorus of which she was a member for 30 years. She also delighted in Bible study and participated in Bible Study Fellowship for 20 years during retirement. As a lifelong Methodist baptized at age 7 at Victor Methodist Church in Greer, Anita was a member since 1984 of St. James United Methodist Church in Spartanburg where her quiet generosity of effort and resources impacted various ministries. In addition to her husband, surviving are three stepsons, Robert Hammerbeck (Lori) of Moore, Mark Hammerbeck (Connie) of Enoree, and Charles Hammerbeck (Cindy) of St. Johns, Florida. First cousins were always special to Anita, and she loved them all, JoAnn Stoddard Mabry and her daughter, Allison Mabry Skinner, who were more like sisters then a niece and cousin. Robert and Lori and their daughter, Emily Newman (Adam) shared their young family with Anita much to her delight. A real honor was being the grandmother to Emily Newman and Allan R. Hammerbeck. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at The Wood Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. Heather Humphries. Visitation will be held at 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2026, at The Wood Mortuary. The family will be at the home. Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 213 North Lanford Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301. Online condolences may be made to www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Anita S. Hammerbeck

July 7, 1946 - September 6, 2026