Johnny Sammons

Johnny Sammons, 68, of Crossett, died Friday, July 14, 2017, at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born on August 31, 1948, in Lake Village, Arkansas to his parents, William Henry, and Ethel Irene Myers Sammons.  He grew up in Wilmot working on his family’s cotton farm with his four siblings until he joined the Marine Corps in 1969.  As a Marine, he fought on the front lines and was injured several times during the Vietnam Conflict, earning him multiple Purple Hearts.  During this time, he was captured by the Vietnamese along with thirty others in his unit and was one of only three that were able to escape.  After his honorable discharge, Johnny returned home and eventually married his schoolmate, Shirley Cossey on July 11, 1974.  He began working for Bemis Bag Company as a Maintenance Supervisor until he retired in 1992.  He loved crappie fishing, cooking, building things in his shop, and working in his garden and especially loved sharing these moments with his grandkids.  He was a loving husband, daddy, Papaw, and brother and will forever be missed.

He is preceded in death by his father, William Henry Sammons; his mother, Ethel Irene Myers Sivils; and his father-in-law, Eugene Cossey.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shirley Sammons of Crossett; one daughter, Cynthia Polk and husband, Denny of Crossett; three sisters, Iris Stark and husband, George of Lake Village, Jennifer Hall and husband, John of Atkins, AR, and Corliss McCain and husband, Floyd of Wilmot; one brother, Carl Sammons of Crossett; four grandchildren, Colby Ward, Hailey Pepper, Brittney Nightingale, and Maegan Polk; three great-grandchildren, Hayden Ward, Gauge Pepper, and Kayson Wright; and a special mother-in-law, Estelle Cossey.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 17, at the Parkdale Cemetery with Bro. Denny Polk and Pastor Kenneth Neal officiating under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Matt Pepper, Colby Ward, Justus Brazier, Bobby Smith, Jim Pollock, and Michael White.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the cemetery prior to the service.

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