Mary Ann Hammett, 1934–2026

Mary Ann (Wilkinson) Hammett, age 91, passed away on March 23, 2026, after a long, full life.

Mary Ann was born December 13, 1934, on a farm in Evans County, Ga., to William Rufus Wilkinson and Annie Mae (Bowen) Wilkinson. She grew up alongside three brothers — “BJ” Benjamin Jackson, Paul, and Joe. At the age of 12, her family moved to Claxton, Ga., where she later graduated from Claxton High School. She went on to attend Georgia Teachers College, now known as Georgia Southern University.

As a young woman, Mary Ann discovered a passion for ballroom dancing. She became an instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Savannah, and in 1956, she achieved top honors as the overall winner of the Southeastern United States All-American Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance Instructors’ Competition. While teaching, she met her future husband, Wilford “Willie” Hammett, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, also a Georgia native. They married in Savannah in 1957.

Mary Ann and Willie’s early married life took them to Japan, where they welcomed their children, Gregory and Linda. Their youngest child, Janice, was born in Virginia, where Mary Ann lived with her three young children while her husband served in the Vietnam War. For two decades, the Air Force led their family across the country, including assignments in Minnesota, Virginia, Idaho, Ohio, and Florida. Throughout these years, Mary Ann taught ballroom dance to fellow Air Force couples, and she dedicated 20 years as an American Red Cross swim instructor.

After Willie’s retirement from the Air Force, the family settled in Milledgeville, Ga., where they owned and operated the Hammett Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. Mary Ann remained active in her community, teaching ballroom dance to adults and teens. After 20 years in Milledgeville, Mary Ann and Willie retired to Savannah, returning to the city where their love story began. Willie passed away in 2000.

In 2005, Mary Ann married Clifford Herbert “Herb” Diercks, a retired Air Force test pilot who grew up in Iowa. They shared many joyful years together until his passing in December 2016.

Mary Ann was a woman of many talents and interests. In addition to ballroom dance, she especially enjoyed classical architecture, gardening, interior design, keeping informed about current events, and studying the Bible. Above all, she took great pride in raising her three children and ensuring they received excellent educations.

In 2019, Mary Ann moved to Newbury Court in Concord, Mass., where she lived independently until recently, enjoying her later years living close to her children and grandchildren.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her elegance, devotion to family, and the lasting impact she made on all who knew her.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her first husband, Wilford “Willie” Hammett, and her second husband, Clifford Herbert “Herb” Diercks. She is survived by her loving children and their spouses: Gregory Wayne Hammett and Kate (Irwin) Hammett; Linda G. Hammett Ory and Andrew Ory of Lincoln; and Janice Hammett Dreier and Alexander Dreier. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Abigail Ory, Audrey Ory, Tyler Ory, Benjamin Dreier, Olivia Dreier, and Lucy Dreier.

Mary Ann’s funeral will take place at 10:30am on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive in Savannah, Ga. Visitation will begin at 9:45am before the service. The burial at Greenwich Cemetery will take place immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Mary Ann’s honor to the Historic Savannah Foundation, the American Heart Association, or the American Lung Association. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary.  For Mary Ann’s online tribute page, click here.