MIDDLESBORO — Meek Franklin Hammac, 85, went home to his mansion in the sky on Monday, July 9, 2007, at the Middlesboro Appalachian Hospital.

He was born on August 3, 1921, in Lee County, Va., the son of Luther and Molly Hammac. He was a faithful member of Northside Baptist Church, and had retired from the UN Railroad after many years working as a crane operator. He was an ordained deacon and belonged to the Masonic Lodge. He loved working in his vegetable gardens and sharing his bounty with his friends and neighbors. He loved to read the Bible and quoted scriptures to everyone he met.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lassie Ivey; and brother, Sewell Hammac.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66-1/2 years, Mary Beatrice Hammac; devoted daughter, Patty (Ralph) Mills, Middlesboro; daughter, Reba Chadwell, Knoxville, Tenn.; extra special grandson, David Wayne Mills, Lawrenceville, Va.; grandson, Tom (Lisa) Chadwell, Chattanooga, Tenn.; granddaughter, Tammy (Steve) Johnson, Nashville, Tenn.; three great-grandchildren of Chattanooga, Tenn.; loving and faithful brother, Millard (Geneva) Hammac, Lafollette, Tenn.: sisters-in-law, Ethel (J.C.) Crigger, Middlesboro, Pearl Hammac, Norris, Tenn.; good friend, Lloyd Idol Middlesboro; special friend and caregiver, Tommy Belcher, Straight Creek; many nieces and nephews; his church family at Northside Baptist Church; and his very, very special Yorkshire Terrier, Tank, that he loved so very much.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Creech Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 13, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Clay Harrell and the Rev. Jody Moore officiating. Music will be by Northside Baptist Church Choir and by the Rev. Jody Moore.

Internment will be in Green Hills Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be his nephews Danny Hammac and Randy Hammac of Lafollette, Tenn., Terry Hammac of Norris, Tenn., and good friends Don Burnett, Allen Collins and Tommy Belcher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Nitin Patel, Lloyd Idol, grandson David Wayne Mills, and the Deacons of Northside Baptist Church.

Creech Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is in charge of all arrangements.