Kay Sammons – Valier

Kay Sammons, 100 years old, passed away peacefully and entered the gates of heaven on March 8, 2017 at Parkway Manor in Marion, IL. under the care of hospice.  She was born on December 8, 1916 in Duquoin, IL. to the late Oliver and Pearl(Ramsey) Slade.

She attended eight years of school in DuQuoin, one year at Christopher High School and three years at Valier High School, where she graduated in 1936.

On March 13, 1937 she married the love of her life, Howard Sammons and together they had two daughters; Kay(Dave) Simpson of Marion, IL. and Sue(Bob) Vercellino of Valier, IL.  Together they shared 60 wonderful years.  She had five grandchildren: Kim(Richard) Byars of Marion, Mark Simpson of Marion, Rob(Kristy) Vercellino of Mulkeytown, Ryan(Ann) Vercellino of Marion, and Eileen Patchett of Valier, nine great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

Kay always had time to spend with her family and always willing to help people in any way she could.   Being this loving, caring, and giving person, she donated her body to S.I.U. School of Medicine, hoping that even in death she might be able to help someone.   Kay loved to entertain and always made people feel welcome in her home.

Kay had a passion for music and loved to sing.  She and her two brothers would sing as kids and she accompanied with the ukulele. She sang in a girls’ quartet in high school.  In 1952, she, Mollie Veach, Joy Winn, and Jonell Graham started the Harmonett Quartet.  The quartet became quite a hit.  They had a regular radio program, made many public appearances, sang with other popular quartets, had taken part in benefit shows, and midnight singings all over the southern part of the state.  After the moving away of Joy Winn, it was such a blessing to Kay for her daughter Sue Vercellino, Molly Veach’s daughter, Dixie Miller, and Anita Leak and her daughter Earline Burzynski to join the group.  She also sang with a group from the Christopher women’s club called the Jolly Jills.  At her 100th birthday party, she was overjoyed to sing one last time with some of the girls from church.

She owned and operated Kay’s Beauty Shop in Sessor for many years where friendships were started and great memories made.  Kay was a member of the Christopher Women’s Club, Sorority, Red Hats and Christopher Chamber, which she was awarded member of the year in 1998.  For years, she was an active member of the Valier Women’s Club and Sewing Club.  She loved to watch game shows, sew, write poems, listen to Christian music, and play games, especially Mexican train.  Some called her the Mexican train queen. 

Kay was a born again believer and loved Jesus very much.  She was a member of the Valier First Baptist Church, where she attended regularly and worked in many capacities, which included teaching, singing in the choir and church secretary.   In 1964, she survived a very serious car accident where doctors told her she would never be able to walk again.  With her strong faith in God and determination, she proved them wrong.

Kay spent her last five years in the Helia Nursing Home in Benton. She initiated a Wednesday morning bible study, which was the highlight of her week. She had many friends and special people in her life that meant the world to her.  A special thanks to Danny, an employee at Helia, who always showed Kay love by praying for her and encouraging her each day.  He was an angel sent from God and Kay thought of him like a grandson.

She will be sadly missed, but there is joy in knowing she is now dancing with the stars in heaven.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Sammons; parents Oliver and Pearl Slade, two brothers, Woody(Connie) Slade, Bill(Theresa) Slade, and sister, Wanda (Buster) Brown.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00am at Valier First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valier First Baptist Church Building Fund.  Envelopes will be available at the church.  Please join us after the service as we continue the celebration of Kay’s life with lunch being served by the ladies of the church.