Margaret Marr Sammons

Margaret Marr Sammons passed away peacefully at home on September 23, 2024. Margaret was preceded in death in 2021 by Russell, her beloved husband of 65 years. 

Born on August 20, 1933 in Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia to Frank and Pauline Marr, Margaret was the fifth of nine children. She is survived by her sister Kathleen and her brother Don. She grew up in Andrews, North Carolina and retained a lifelong love of her home in the mountains. After high school she went on to Mars Hill College, where she was honored in the Homecoming Court and as May Queen. 

After receiving her associate’s degree she continued her education at Berea College, studying nursing and eventually meeting the love of her life. Although many suitors vied for her attention, Russell gained a definitive lead when he presented her with a gardenia corsage rather than a carnation one for the first dance they attended together. 

Margaret completed Berea’s nursing program in 1956. She and Russell were married in the college’s chapel on October 26, 1955 during Russell’s brief visit in the states while deployed with the U.S. Army. Margaret joined the surgery unit of Cincinnati General Hospital where she had received her student training, and she was quickly promoted to Hospital Nursing Supervisor. 

Though ardently devoted to excellence in nursing, she happily left her professional work behind in 1967 to welcome three children in quick succession. From this time on she dedicated all her talents to the good of her family, home, church, and community – as she herself once described her life in a Berea College alumni update. 

Margaret was a gifted and accomplished homemaker. Her love of beauty, green thumb, and southern sense of hospitality resulted in a home that was always a comfort to loved ones and guests, inside and out. She maintained, as well, a decades-long correspondence with her dear friends from nursing school, while also forming deep and lasting friendships with fellow members of Groesbeck Church, her church home for more than 60 years. She was active throughout these decades at her beloved church, from helping with pre-K Sunday school to participating in bible studies to supporting its many charitable works. 

She is survived by her children Mark (Heather), Beth (Dave) Oliverio, and Eric (Suzan); her grandchildren Anna Sammons, Rachel (Matthew) Pyles, Lucy (JohnMark) Cayer, Derek Oliverio, Maria (Benjamin) Rose-Fish, Peter Sammons, Luke Oliverio, Hope Margaret Sammons, Madeline Sammons, and Lydia Sammons; and her great grandson due this fall; as well as sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves many loving friends and neighbors who will always remember her goodness and love with great affection.

Visitation will be held from 9:30–10:15 a.m. on Friday, September 27 at Groesbeck Church, 8871 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45251; the funeral service will immediately follow. After the funeral, interment will take place at Arlington Memorial Gardens, followed by a luncheon at Groesbeck Church. 

Memorial donations may be made to S.O.N. Ministries at Groesbeck Church.