Derrell Purvis Hammonds Sr. age 87, of Chadbourn, passed away at home on Friday, September 19, 2025, surrounded by family.

Derrell was born on July 2, 1938, to the late Pinkney Purvis Hammonds and Lillian Rose Jones. He was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Clementine Hammonds.

Funeral service will be conducted on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Worthington Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Crumpler officiating. Burial with Fireman honors will follow in the Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery. 

The Klondyke-Chadbourn Fire & Rescue and Columbus County Fire and Rescue Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers.

The family will speak to friends prior to the service from 2:00-2:45 p.m. in the chapel.

Derrell, a native of Nichols, SC, was a dedicated member of the Chadbourn Fire Department for over 54 years; he recently served on the Board of Directors. He was an active member of Chadbourn Baptist Church and contributed to his community in numerous ways. Throughout his career, Derrell worked at Scott's Plumbing and Electrical in Whiteville, in the loan department at Waccamaw Bank, and retired from DuPont in Leland. 

Surviving family includes his beloved wife of 64 years, Dulah Lee Tompkins Hammonds of the home, daughter, Candace Hammonds Conway (Steven) of Wilmington; son, Derrell Purvis Hammonds, Jr. (Kimberly) of Chadbourn; grandchildren, Gage Landon Hammonds and Dawson Reid Hammonds.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Chadbourn Fire & Rescue.