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

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

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

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

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 where she met Don. She was involved in the past with PTA and helped with the Jack-In-The-Box for one year. She was a member of the First Christian Church serving as Sunday School teacher for 9 years and served as deaconess for many years. Sally was past president and member of CWF. She worked for Girard Gazette and Virden Recorder for 30 years. 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 was involved in several friends’ groups playing bridge, pinnacle, bunko, or just enjoying a monthly friendship gathering.

Sally had a special gift of decorating and loved to send messages (“The Card Lady”) to everyone she knew. Her wish was to bring a SMILE to someone’s face and to spread kindness.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 26, from 2:00-5:00 pm at First Christian Church, Girard, IL.

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

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

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

Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in her memory.

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