Life & Legacy

Denitra “LaShun” Hammond was born on March 15, 1968, to the proud parents of Mr. Roston Wimbley Beard and Ms. Rachel Hammond (Redwine) in Rome, Georgia. As a little girl, LaShun, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, grew up in West Rome and attended West Rome High School. As a proud Chieftain, LaShun played basketball, served as a devout cadet of the United States Air Force ROTC Chieftain Battalion, and was a rising track star competing in the 100 meter race and the 4x100 relay. As an avid lover of football, LaShun became an athletic trainer just so she could travel with the team to cheer them on as they became the 1985 AA Georgia State Champs. A 1986 graduate of West Rome High School, LaShun matriculated to Tennessee State University (TSU) in the spring of 1987 where she was an even prouder TSU Tiger. LaShun received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications in 1991 and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in 1994. Upon the completion of her graduate degree, LaShun began teaching and developed a love and passion for educating youth. In 1995, she relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where she attended LeMoyne-Owen College. It was there she obtained her teaching certification and later accepted a position with Memphis City Schools as a third-grade teacher at Double Tree Elementary.

After residing in Memphis for just a short time, LaShun met Craig LaShawn Williams during the summer of 1995. The two would later marry in 1997 and through their union, they became the proud parents of four sons, Kylan LaShaun (July 26, 1996 - January 24, 1997), Micah LaShawn, Christian LaShawn and Craig LaShawn Williams, II. While the two are no longer married, LaShun and LaShawn remained loving parents and friends.

In 2001, LaShun and her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she accepted a position with the Dekalb County School system, teaching at Browns Mill Elementary. During her tenure at Browns Mill, she was regarded as one of the school’s most energetic and high-spirited teachers.

In 2005, LaShun and her family moved to Seoul, South Korea, where she accepted a position with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA). In her role, she served as a Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) 7th grade science teacher at Seoul American Middle School (SAMS), located on the United States Garrison Yongsan Army Base. “Denitra” as she was affectionately called by her Seoul peers and friends, took great pride in teaching military and civilian dependents from all over the world. She was actively involved in the academic and extra-curricular success of her students and proudly served as the sponsor for the SAMS Yearbook Committee and as head coach for the SAMS Basketball and Track teams. She also dedicated her coaching skills to the Seoul American High School (SAHS) by serving as an assistant coach for the Girls Basketball and Track teams.

LaShun resided in Seoul for 13 years, proudly witnessing her three sons ─Micah, Christian and Craig─ graduate from Seoul American High School. In 2018, after the transitional closing of the Garrison Yongsan Army Base, LaShun moved to Pyeongtaek, South Korea, where she continued to teach 7th grade science at Camp Humphreys Middle School. In 2019, she returned to the United States, settling in Savannah, Georgia, to be closer to her sons and family.

LaShun accepted a position with Charles F. Bolden Elementary School in Beaufort, South Carolina, where she remained a DODDS/DODEA employee until her untimely passing, completing a 28-year career as an exceptional and dedicated educator.

LaShun cherished her sons and was a devoted mother. Everyone who was blessed to have known her knew, without a doubt, how much she loved and supported them in all of their endeavors. LaShun also enjoyed loving on one of her favorite gifts from her sons, her beloved miniature poodle, Baylor.

LaShun possessed a strong faith in God and with a positive attitude, beautiful smile and willingness to help others, she lived life to the fullest.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Denitra LaShun Hammond departed her earthly home surrounded by those she loved. She was preceded in death by her first born son, Kylan LaShaun Williams; grandmothers Louise Hammond and Rosa Lee Beard; grandfathers John Henry Hammond and Roston Lee Beard; aunts Myrtice Hammond, Thelma Hammond, Sheila Hammond, Mary Cooper and Ellen Elliot; and uncles Lamar Hammond, Louis Hammond, Lennoise Hammond, Harry Hammond and John Willie Hammond.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy her beloved sons Micah Williams, Christian Williams and Craig Williams, II; mother Rachel Redwine; sisters Tamika M. Hammond and Stephanie Boyd; bonus sisters Rhonda Redwine and Nekicia Redwine; brother Reginald Beard; loving sister-cousin Jaqueline Hammond; aunts Mary Hammond, Mildred Hammond (Daniel), Shileye McCombs-King, Taffie Jean Kirby, Elwonda Hammond, Pamela Ware and Sonya Hammond; uncles Carl Hammond, Julian Hammond, Timothy Hammond, Raymond Hammond and Jackie Beard; nephew Marcus Miller, Jr.; nieces Kaylee Hammond, Camryn Beard and Charlize Beard. A host of special friends, sorority sisters, cousins, and students that became extended family.