Betty Sammons

Betty Ann Sammons went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the presence of her devoted children. She was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 23, 1923, to Lewis A. Boore, IV, and Ada Lucy Boore.

Betty was a kind, gracious, and joyful daughter, sister, wife, mother, “Grammy” and “Gigi,” who engaged wholeheartedly with everyone she met. Upon graduation from high school, she worked as a secretary to one of the executives at Dupont in Niagara Falls, New York, where she met John L. Sammons, Sr. They married soon after at a small ceremony at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, where John was stationed as a Lt. Commander in the Navy during World War II. While there, Betty continued her career as an executive secretary on the Admiral’s Staff at NAS Pensacola. Together, she and John had four children.

After military service, the family moved to the small South Jersey beach town of Somers Point, where she spent 50+ years as a devoted homemaker and avid hospital volunteer, caring for patients both as a Junior League member and Pink Lady. She resumed her career much later in life, working as secretary for her church pastor, two principals in the local school system, as well as doing secretarial duties for husband John’s insurance adjustment business. Her many hobbies through the years included sewing (she was a remarkable seamstress), knitting, crafting, cooking, baking, reading, serving in her church and visiting with her family. She loved any opportunity to sit in the sunshine—on the back deck of her New Jersey home; on the nearby beach with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren nearby; and finally, with her friends on the front porch of Dunlop House Assisted Living in Colonial Heights, where she resided for the last 10 years.

In her final decade of life, her passions included playing bridge three times a week (she was a master-level player, even at age 99!), playing bingo at her assisted living facility, listening to her favorite music from her earlier years, and having adventures at local restaurants and shops. She especially loved animals and greatly enjoyed the bird feeder placed outside of her Dunlop House window. The moments she cherished most on this Earth were those when she was surrounded by her abundance of loving family and friends. She could light up a room with her infectious smile, and everyone loved to see her cruising down the hallway in her electric wheelchair with her fashionable outfits and fancy manicured nails, which she did herself. Her sense of humor and deep appreciation for all things will be forever missed.

She is survived by her children, John L. Sammons, Jr. (Susan), Babette B. Hansen (Bruce), Holly L. Transue, and Joan C. Fernandez; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John L. Sammons, Sr., her parents, and siblings Lewis A. Boore, V, Edward “Ned” Boore and Joan C. Pettitt.

A Celebration of Life service in honor of Betty will be at 3:00p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, to commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday on March 23rd. Any updates will follow on their website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Heights Animal Shelter, 301 Charles Dimmock Parkway Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.