Mary Estelle Hayes Lampkin "Emmy"'s Obituary
Mary Estelle Hayes Lampkin, “Emmy,” of Decatur died on September 2, 2017. Born on July 23, 1923 at St. Mary’s Hospital, she was a lifelong resident of Decatur.
The eldest daughter of Dr. John Maurice Hayes and Helen Hogan Hayes, and the wife of L. William (Bill) Lampkin, Sr., she was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and devoted friend to many.
Her life was dedicated to raising her children and grandchildren and to serving others. She was very proud of her father’s career as a doctor in Decatur during which time he served as President of the Medical Staffs of both St. Mary’s Hospital and Decatur Memorial Hospital. She was also very proud of her mother’s career as an accomplished musician and as a founder of the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary.
A petite and unassuming woman, her intelligence, easy manner, sense of humor and unfailing optimism made Emmy a natural leader and the heart and soul of any activity in which she participated. Emmy graduated from Millikin University in 1945 and while there was the editor of the school newspaper and was an active member of Pi Beta Phi, her college sorority. Throughout her adult life she was very active with the St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, the Catholic Charities Foundation and with the schools her children attended. More recently, she served on the board of the Residents’ Association of Imboden Gardens, the assisted living center where she lived happily from 2009 until her death.
A talented musician from a musical family, Emmy sang in the choir at St. Patrick’s Church for over 40 years, including as a soloist. Her children fondly remember many Midnight Masses at St. Patrick’s, waiting to hear their mother sing her solo part in the well-known Christmas carol, “Oh Holy Night.”
In 1946, following World War II, Emmy was with friends one night at the Blue Mill Restaurant when she met a handsome man who had just returned from service in the Coast Guard, Bill Lampkin, also a life-long Decatur resident and member of St. Patrick’s Church. After a year and a half courtship, Bill and Emmy married at St. Patrick’s Church followed by a joyful reception at the Decatur Club. Bill and Emmy raised six children and were married for nearly 62 years until Bill’s death in 2009.
Emmy Lampkin is survived by her children: Sheila from Ballwin, Missouri, Bill, Jr. from Evanston, Illinois, Martha and her husband John Welborne from Los Angeles, Patricia and her husband Wayne Cozart from Charlottesville, Virginia, John and his wife Lisa (Carmean) from St. Peters, Missouri, and Tom and his wife Christine (Ketchie) from Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kathleen Humphrey (Daniel), Shannon, Michael and Daniel Lampkin, Colleen and Hayes Cozart (Sophia), Coleman Hamilton, Cayden Caivano and Kathryn and Matthew Lampkin.
Emmy was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sheila Hayes Dwyer, and her husband, Bill Lampkin.
Visitation will be at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, located at 2801 North Monroe Street on Friday, September 8th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Saturday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Teresa High School, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
The Lampkin family would especially like to thank the entire Imboden staff and her private caregivers, some of whom became virtual family to her. We know that your loving care enhanced
and extended her life. Emmy loved you all.
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