Sally Gay Jessen

Sally Gay Jessen passed away Wednesday morning, March 15, 2023, at Carlinville Area Hospital.

She was born Aug. 2, 1938, in Ames, Iowa, the daughter of Howard and Frances (Hughes) Pollock.

She married Donald Jessen, June 6, 1959, in Girard.

She graduated from Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida 1956 and attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO and Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.

She worked as a stewardess for American Airlines in Chicago and where she met Don and for Girard Gazette and Virden Recorder for 30 years.

She was a member of the First Christian Church serving as Sunday School teacher for nine years and served as deaconess for many years. Sally was past president and member of CWF.

She was involved in the past with PTA, helped with the Jack-In-The-Box for one year. She was  Brownie Leader in 1963, Vice President of the Women’s Auxiliary Mid State Optometric Society of Illinois, Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and awarded the Key Community Leader Award. Sally was Girard Citizen of the Year in 2000. She was involved in PEO Chapter EJ and was past president.

She enjoyed playing bridge, pinnacle and bunko.

Sally had a special gift to decorate and loved to send messages (“The Card Lady”) to everyone she knew.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, Girard.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church, Girard, with Marty Nagel and Richard Whitworth officiating.

She is survived by a son, Greg (Leanne) Jessen of Spring TX; daughter, Kristy (Brett) Barnes of Girard; grandsons, Jared & Justin Jessen both of Texas, Dalton (Lauren) Barnes of Girard, Dolan (fiancé Meghan) Barnes of Collinsville; great grandchildren Adley, Henley and Gannon Barnes all of Girard and brother, John Pollock.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Jessen; son Rich Jessen; both her parents and a sister.

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church in Girard, Girard Fire and Rescue Squad or Prairieland Ambulance.

Visit davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in her memory.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Girard is in charge of arrangements.