Mrs. Ruby Melton Hammonds, age,85, of Athens, died Friday at Life Care Center of Athens.

A life-long resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Marshall C. and Lucy Key Melton, and was preceded in death by her husband, James Samuel "Jake" Hammonds on Oct. 4, 1992; and a sister, Alice Calk of Nashville.

She was a member of Rocky Mt. Baptist Church and a retired employee of Liz's Hallmark Store of Athens.  Survivors: 1 Son & daughter-in-law: James M. "Jimmy" and Kay Hammonds of Cleveland,TN.  Grandson and wife, Matt and Mandi Hammonds of Calhoun,TN.  Great-grandchildren: Logan Cross and Lyndsey Cross.  Sisters: Rachel Mahoney of Riceville, TN., Wanda Decker of Riceville, TN., Martha Heath of Houston, TX.  Several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be 7:00 P.M. Sunday in the chapel with Rev. Jerry Plaster officiating.

Graveside services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at McMinn Memory Gardens.  Pallbearers will be Matt Hammonds,  David Decker,  Jerry Underwood,  Leon Hammonds,  Richard Leamon,  and Jeff Calk.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 5-7 P.M. before the service in the chapel.