Manuela "Mimi" Flores Hammett

Manuela “Mimi” Flores Hammett, age 93, of Bostic, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.

Manuela was born Sunday, January 22, 1933 in Laredo, Texas to the late Agapito Flores and Florencia Benavidas Flores. She was a dedicated homemaker who enjoyed cooking for and taking care of her family. She and her late husband, Merrill, were actively involved in the local prison ministry and she worked as an interpreter for the Rutherford County Courthouse. Manuela had a heart to bring the local Spanish community together which led her to organize the Rutherford County Spanish Club. She had the distinction to earning her High School diploma from Isothermal Community College at the age of fifty-two. She was a member of the Forest City First Wesleyan Church. Manuela had a heart to help others and while already having six children, she and her husband compassionately adopted a seventh child. She loved dancing until her ill-health prohibited her. She enjoyed collecting a variety of items and was a Princess House glassware dealer. She maintained her keen sense of humor even in the midst of health issues. Mimi lived a full life of faith and caring for others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, Merrill Hammett; daughters, Noemi “Pee Wee” Carver and Ida Henson; son, James Howard Hammett; sister, Chelo Liendo; brothers, Agapito Flores, Jr., Alfredo Flores, Felibeto Flores; grandchildren, Thomas Carroll and great granddaughters, Brianne Carroll and Brittany Carroll.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Debra Kesterson (Terry) of Forest City, Cindy James (Jesse) of Forest City and Tamy Grier (Kennith) of Ellenboro; sons, Merrill “Tommy” Hammett (Judy) of Forest City and Diego Hammett (Lou) of Guam; brothers, Jose Flores (Sarah) of Bastrop, Texas, Ruben Flores (Gloria) of Laredo, Texas and Santiago Flores of Duncansville, Texas. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 pm on Friday, January 30th at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Eric Yelton officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.