Funeral Services for Rev. Tommy G. Hamms of Winnfield, LA will be convened at the Winnfield Civic Center (Fairgronds Complex) on LA Hwy 34 Friday, August 13, 2010 at 11:00 a. m. Public visitation will be held at the Winnfield Funeral Home of Winnfield, LA on Thursday, August 12, 2010 from Noon until 8:00 p. m. with a Service of Reflections beginning at 6:00 p. m. Burial will be in the Winnfield Cemetery just off LA Hwy 167. Pastor Tommy G. Hamms was born May 27, 1958 in Pineville, La to Earlene Turner and Oscar Gene Collins. Along with his mother, Tommy was reared by his maternal great-grandparents, Pinnie and Robert Wade, whom he affectionately called Mama and Daddy. Tommy was baptized at the age of 8 at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church by Rev. Albert Patterson. Tommy was a member of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he was an active member from childhood through adulthood. He served in various capacities at the church and became a Deacon of the church at the age of 19. He was a 1976 graduate of Winnfield Senior High School. After high school, he followed his passion and attended the Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science. He completed his matriculation on August 26, 1977. He was licensed as a Mortician/Funeral director by the state of Louisiana on September 26, 1978. As a dedicated employee of Winnfield Funeral Home, he was able to serve various communities and provide excellent service to numerous bereaved families during their time of need for 34 years. Also, he served the Winn Parish Coroners office for over 30 years as a Deputy Coroner. On October 13, 1985, Tommy G. Hamms accepted the call to preach the Gospel and delivered his first sermon on November 3, 1985 at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. He was later ordained on August 3, 1986 in the same ministry. On April 25, 1987 he was elected as pastor of the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He was an effective leader and anointed visionary of the flock for more than 23 years. Also, he served in the capacity of moderator of the New Hope Baptist Association since 2001. God allowed Pastor Hamms to touch countless lives and to help bring many closer to Christ. On August 9, 1980, he married the late Gwendolyn G. Hamms. He enjoyed nearly 23 years of happiness and joy with her until her death on June 16, 2003. Their marriage was blessed with two loving sons, whom he loved dearly, Gardner Tomell Hamms and Gavin Robert Hamms. He was preceded in death by his wife Gwendolyn G. Hamms, his father Oscar G. Collins, his paternal grandmother Lucinda Jordan and his maternal great grandparents Robert & Pinnie Wade. Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons Gardner Tomell Hamms and Gavin Robert Hamms both of Winnfield. His mother and father Earlene Turner and Peter Joe Turner of Winnfield, six brothers, Gerald Hamms (Lawanda), Charles Ray Williams both of Winnfield, Stacy Swafford (Letha) of Natchitoches, Ronald Collins, Donald Collins, and David Collins all of Carson, California, two sisters Cynthia Tate (Bernard) of Winnfield and Gwen Collins of Lakewood, California: his grandfather and grandmother H.L. and Helen Hamms of Winnfield. Brother in law Gregory Gardner (Mary) of Opelousas, La Two godchildren Ta Carrol Townsend, Shreveport, LA and Trena Russell of Winnfield, several aunts, uncles, relatives and special friends To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev Tommy G Hamms, please visit our floral store.