Jordan Funeral Home, Inc. PO Box 46 264 Hillsboro Street Monticello, Georgia 31064 706-468-6303 Fax: 706-468-2205 Email: [email protected]

Saralyn Sammons, age 91, of Hillsboro, Georgia, died Friday, November 18, 2011, at her residence.

Saralyn Sammons was born in Hillsboro, January 31, 1920, and was the oldest daughter of Margaret Greer Sammons and Richard J. Sammons. Saralyn graduated from Monticello High School in 1936 and received her A.B. degree from Wesleyan College, and M.A. degree from George Peabody College, with additional graduate work in accounting as the only woman in the Accounting School at Columbia University in New York. She had a remarkable teaching career spanning forty years. She taught business administration from 1940-1944 at Vienna High School, Vienna, Georgia, and from 1944- 1952 at the Department of Business, GMC in Milledgeville, Georgia. From 1952-1953 she was instructor of statistical typewriting at Peabody College and Peabody Demonstration School and from 1953-1954 she was again business school instructor at GMC and evening class instructor at Crandall Business School in Milledgeville. During 1954-1956 she was an instructor of Business Education at UNC Greensboro, North Carolina. She returned to Georgia in 1956, finishing her teaching career as First Associate Professor and Department Head of Secretarial Administration and Business Education at Valdosta State College, now University, in 1982.

She was a member of many professional associations including National Business Education, Southern Business Education, Georgia Business Education, Georgia Education, American Business Writing, and American Accounting Association. She was also a member of American Association of University Professors. She was a charter member of Delta Pi Epsilon National Honorary Graduate Fraternity in Business Education, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who of the South and Southwest both as listed in Marquis. Her professional activities included serving as an executive board member of GBBA, serving on the Committees for Dual Certification and Financial Aid, and Executive Committee. At Valdosta State, she served on the Alumni Committee, Teacher Education Committee, and Fellowship Committee. She was an officer of numerous other organizations and clubs. She received the Special Projects award in May 1982 and Emeritus status upon her retirement. She put an indelible stamp on Valdosta State College and provided mentoring and direction to many students and colleagues during her tenure there.

After retiring in 1983, she traveled extensively and then moved back home to Hillsboro where she took care of her mother, who at the age of 106, preceded Saralyn in death. Saralyn was dearly loved by family and friends and was highly regarded by the teaching and business community for her intellect and vast store of knowledge and experience.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Jane Sammons of Hillsboro; Greer family first cousins James Crawford Ezell of Monticello, and Frances Ezell Day of North Augusta, SC; second cousins, Jim C. Ezell, Jr. of Marietta, John R. Carr of Levittown, NY, Chris Carr of East Rockaway, NY, Yulyn Day, India D. Yarborough, and Rebecca D. Camp, all of North Augusta, SC. Third generation family survivors are Dana C. Gotterdam, James C. Ezell, III, Lauren Elizabeth Ezell, Emily Ezell McGann, Saralyn Frances Yarborough, and Phillip B. Yarborough. Survivors in the Sammons family include first cousins, Mrs. E. Walker (Mira) Sammons, III of Gray, Georgia, William Sammons Piper, and wife, Lorena of Jennings, FL; and second cousins, Allen and Eileen Sammons Zack of Atlanta, Robert Sammons of Covington, and Patrick Sammons of Stockbridge.

Beloved caregivers are Judy Dills, Gwen Catchings, Naomi Carey, and Tara Pendergrass.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at Hillsboro Baptist Church in Hillsboro. Interment will be held in West View Cemetery in Monticello. Rev. Stan Patterson and Rev. John McDuffie will officiate.

Serving as pallbearers will be James Ezell, III, Wayne Greene, Pat Sammons, Charles Turner, Allen Zack, and Tony Fullerton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Tate Turner, Jimmy Fullerton, and Bill Piper.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Jordan Funeral Home.

The family suggests memorials in lieu of flowers to Hillsboro Baptist Church, P.O. Box 86, Hillsboro, Georgia 31038.

Jordan Funeral Home of Monticello is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please visit our website at www.jordanfuneralhomemonticello.com.