Anna Ruth Pittman Hamby Nalley passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023. She was 101 years old. Born August 29, 1921 in Graham, to Katie (Oates) and Steve Pittman, she grew up in Muhlenberg County with siblings Maurice, Earle, Norma, and Clara, graduating from Graham High School in 1939. She moved to nearby Hopkinsville to work as a Practical Nurse at Jennie Stuart Memorial Hospital. When staff was called together on December 8, 1941 to listen to President Franklin Roosevelt announce over the radio that the nation was at war, Ann moved to Detroit to work in a defense plant as a riveter.
She married Cpl. Raleigh Hamby from Hopkinsville on December 29 1945, when he returned from serving in the China Burma India Theater. Their daughter, Mary Elaine, was born in 1950.
When Raleigh died in 1963, Ann and Elaine moved from Detroit back to her home in Muhlenberg County, settling in Greenville. She returned to the profession of nursing, this time as a Licensed Practical Nurse, taking the courses required at Muhlenberg Community Hospital. She worked in the Long Term Care Unit of the hospital for many years.
She married Joseph Nalley of Central City, in February 1969. They moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1975. Joe Nalley died in 1981.
In Fort Walton Beach, Ann continued her nursing career, first at the old hospital (which was by then a long term care facility), then at the Bridegway Center. She joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter. With their support, Ann arranged for a memorial marker to her Revolutionary War ancestor, Major Jesse Oates, to be installed in Muhlenberg County.
Ann is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Mark Lazar, nieces Diane (Gary) Kanarek, Phyllis (Ed) Augustyn, and Roberta (Ken) Wray, great-niece Katie (Mike) Carson, nephew Michael (Kathy) Heflin, great-nephew Tyler Heflin, great great niece Stella and great great nephew Beckett. She is also survived by her stepson, Joe Nalley (Debbie), daughter-in-law Lorene Stanford (Ed), and grandchildren Scott Nalley (Christina), Amy Bernd (Matthew), and great-grandchildren Macy, Madison, Zoie, and Ares.
Thanks to all the caring nurses, CNAs, staff, and residents at Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center for their loving care and support. As a nurse whose career was largely spent caring for the elderly in long term care, both in Kentucky and Florida, Ann knew she “got as good as she gave.” And she loved you for it. Your jobs are hard. Please know you do them very well.
There will be no service in Fort Walton Beach. However, interment of ashes in Unity Cemetery, Graham, Kentucky is planned for later this year.
