With great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Gary Gayle Hammonds, 64, of Lexington, NC (formerly of Whiteville), on April 14, 2026, at his home.

The youngest of 10 children, Gary was born February 11, 1962 to the late William Arthur Hammonds and Gladys Soles Hammonds in Whiteville.  He was preceded in death by two sisters Mary Francis Hammonds and Ila Furr, as well as, a brother Bennie Hammonds.

As a young man, he proudly served his country in the United States Army.  Upon returning to Whiteville, he courageously served the local community as a member of the Whiteville Fire Department for 20 years.  In 1999, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to open South Whiteville Seafood where he personally attended to each customer with a smile and a kind word.  After relocating to Lexington, he obtained his barber’s license and fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a small barber shop.  Outside of work he loved fishing, selflessly helping others, and cheering for his beloved Tarheels.  

He is survived by his fiancée Helen Hill of Lexington, NC; daughter Cori (Randy) Kritzer, of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren Parker, Greta and Addison Hawkins; brothers Larry (Deborah) Hammonds, Jerry (Alfred) Hammonds, Charles (Myra) Hammonds, Wayne (Jennifer) Hammonds, Rick (Cyndi) Hammonds and sister, Linda Riboli along with numerous other loving family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday April 18, 2026 at Worthington Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will follow in the Flynn Cemetery.