Natalie Pyle Hammer

Natalie Pyle Hammer, age 88, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital.

Her memorial service will be held at a later date.

Born on February 21, 1938, in Mansfield, Arkansas, to Norvel and Alvah (Ott) Pyle, Natalie was the second in a family of seven children. She grew up in several towns in Northcentral Arkansas, surrounded by her large extended family.

Natalie graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, and on August 10, 1957, she married the love of her life, John D. “Tony” Hammer, in Big Sandy, Texas. Tony and Natalie served as pastors of several church congregations through the first 20 years of their marriage, including in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco, California; and Nashville, Tennessee. Natalie never lost her love of travel.

Upon moving to Dallas in 1980, Natalie held three executive assistant positions for commercial real estate brokers until her retirement. Entertaining was her strong suit, and she was well-known for her delicious cooking, holiday celebrations, and gracious hospitality. Her brothers, sisters, and their families were always her favorite guests.

She was an avid fan and follower of all the Dallas teams, Cowboys, Rangers, and Mavericks, and had a lifelong love for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Natalie is survived by her daughters, Vickie Hammer of Sulphur Springs, Texas; Jan Oakes and husband Mike of Farmersville, Texas; son, Dave Hammer and wife Clare, and her beloved granddaughter, Catherine Hammer, of Dallas, Texas, as well as her brothers, Dennis and Ray, and sister, Kaye, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tony, and her siblings Norva Kelly, Jack Pyle, and Joe Dan Pyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Natalie’s honor may be made to the Wound Care Clinic at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.