Nancy Jonita Harris Chronister Hammer of Carrollton, Texas, passed peacefully into Glory on August 14, 2022, at the age of 83.

Jonita was born to John and Anita Harris on March 28, 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Hapeville High School in 1957 and received an Associate Degree from Mars Hill Junior College, North Carolina in 1959. She married Emory Chronister in 1960, and they lived together in Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas. Together they had four children.

She leaves as her legacy Kathryn Layne Burke and husband Ken (Corey and Cole Crawford-great granddaughters Cairo and Camden, Kyler Burke, Connor Burke, and Emily Walker); Mark Emory Chronister and wife Donna (Haley and Will Chronister); Scott Harris Chronister and wife Rochelle (Brady and Payton Chronister); and Kelli Anita Garcia and husband Dan (Jack, Brett, and Lilly Garcia). She also leaves to cherish her memory two brothers, David Harris and wife Becky (Austin and Caroline); and Paul Harris and wife Anne (Eric and Holli) of Atlanta, Georgia.

Jonita grew up going to First Baptist Church of Hapeville. She began attending Northway Baptist Church when she moved to Dallas in 1966 and was a faithful member there for more than thirty years. She raised her four children at Northway where she developed many lifelong friendships. She was also a member at Prestonwood Baptist Church and Park Cities Baptist Church. She was a musician in both voice and piano at every church she attended. She was passionate about affecting positive change in people. She was a dedicated single parent, proud that all four children earned college degrees.

Jonita was an Executive Assistant in several Christian ministries including Christian Leadership Ministries and Josh McDowell Ministries. Her favorite "job" was volunteering at Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. Prior to her service in ministry, she worked at Brookhaven Community College and Southland Corporation. She was married to Travis Hammer from 2006 to 2018.

Jonita enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado, beach trips to Daytona Beach, Florida, and water skiing at Lake Burton in the North Georgia Mountains. She was very proud of her Georgia heritage and loved to return as often as possible. She also treasured her many trips with the “Magnolia Grannies” (you know who you are). One of her greatest joys was hosting family gatherings around the holidays, which included all of her kids, grandkids and her Georgia family of parents, brothers and their families, and her favorite aunt and uncle. Jonita loved her Lord Jesus Christ and took every opportunity to share her love for the Lord with anyone with whom she came in contact.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 4, 2022 at Park Cities Baptist Church in Ellis Chapel, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75225.

Donations can be made to Village of Hope Uganda (https://villageofhopeuganda.c…) or Prestonwood Pregnancy Center (https://prestonwoodpregnancy.…) in lieu of flowers.  

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