Tammi R. Hottle

Tammi Renee Hottle entered this world November 7, 1959, born to Doris and Larry Dye in Monmouth, IL. She was soon joined by her only sister, Vicki Lantz, and commenced a childhood filled with Mississippi mud, wild animals turned pets, periods of hardship and happiness, and always surrounded by country music and family love. Tammi graduated from Monmouth High School in 1977 and began working at the Review Atlas. She began there what would become her life's work, doing ordinary jobs in an extraordinary way, knowing and loving everyone with who she worked. In 1982, Buff Hottle's photography business spent an excessive amount on advertising, all because of a young woman working in the advertising department of the Review Atlas. Buff and Tammi were married June 3, 1984, becoming one another's partners in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health. They enjoyed countless days on the Mississippi River, worked together to immortalize the community's memories at Portraits by Buff, and soon began their family with Hallie (1986), Hannah (1989), and Dalton (1995). With the birth of their children, Tammi truly found her life's joy. Tammi reveled in her children and all they did. She taught their Sunday School classes, indulged their make-believe, made soup and cuddled on sick days. There wasn't a stray animal she turned away when they brought it to her door. She won every mom award for bleacher-sitting hours, and would answer the phone any time day or night for her children. There was never a moment they questioned her love and devotion to them. In 2009 Tammi was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her family surrounded her as she and Buff made plans to live through the diagnosis. And live she did. For seven years Tammi happily endured treatments in order to buy days with her family and friends. During that time she found a job at the YMCA, and discovered work and a community she loved. She prayed. She raced. She laughed. She lived. On January 1, 2016 she was diagnosed again, this time with metastatic breast cancer. Despite her unfailing desire to live and live fully, this diagnosis brought with it more challenges. Still, she endured all the treatment possible in order to walk a few more times around the block with Buff, to say yes to the dress with Hannah as she prepares to marry, to laugh a few more times with her parents and sister, to celebrate Easter in Hallie's new church, and see Dalton's first solo flight home. On December 16, 2016, it was apparent her liver had not tolerated eight years of cancer treatment as well as her spirit had. With the life she loved no longer possible, she left this world to go onto the next, surrounded by her family and God's love. At 57 years old, she is only preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Vivian Hottle, and an assortment of beloved pets. So she goes to help prepare a place for all those she leaves behind, her parents, her sister, her three children and their spouses, her enduring husband, and her loving pup, Mumble. Memorial Service We will celebrate Tammi's life and bear witness to her resurrection on Wednesday, December 28, at 3 p.m. at Faith United Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Warren County YMCA in Tammi's name. You can read more about Tammi's journey at www.sainttammi.org.