Annette "Nettie" Spalding Salmons

Annette “Nettie” Spalding Salmons, age 66, of California, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at her home.

 Annette was born June 21, 1954, in Jefferson City, a daughter of Gary Kay “G.K.” Spalding and Helen Darlene Scott Spalding.    
     
At age 13, Annette was baptized in the Capital City Christian Church.  
     
She graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1972 as one of the top ten academic students in her graduating class.  In 1977, Annette graduated summa cum laude from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Art.      
     
Annette was an extremely talented artist and sculptor, and pursued her passion for art for another 20 years after receiving her degree, winning numerous awards in local art exhibitions.
     
On October 25, 1985, Annette married Robert D. “R.D.” Salmons in Miami, Oklahoma and they remained married until Bob’s death in 2014.  “Nettie” and “R.D.” enjoyed traveling out West each year and only gave it up after buying a farm near California, where Bob raised horses and Nettie lovingly tended their menagerie of other farm animals, including burros, goats, llamas, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks, and chickens.  Nettie also loved her doggies and kitties and had a number of both over the years.
     
Annette worked at the Farmers Bank of Lohman for 44 years, starting out as a part-time employee at age 16 and retiring as head of the bookkeeping/operations department, as well as  bank Vice President.          
     
Growing up, Annette was a member of Capital City Christian Church in Jefferson City, but in recent years had become a member of the California Church of Christ.  
     
Annette was a 48-year member of the Eugene Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, which later merged with the Jefferson City Victoria Chapter.  She was also a 20-year member of the Rock Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Recently, Annette had become a member of the California Shooters Club.
     
Nettie was known for her lifelong love of and devotion to animals, whether they were her kitties and doggies or her beloved menagerie of farm animals.  She subsequently was a member of a number of animal welfare organizations, including the local, state, and national chapters of the Humane Society, as well the ASPCA, or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Annette was also a faithful contributor to the Callaway Hills (No-Kill) Animal Shelter since its inception.  Nettie fervently wished that all pet owners would adopt their furry friends from shelters rather than puppy mills or expensive breeders and prayed that each adoption would provide these beloved pets with their forever homes.
     
Annette is survived by one sister, Myra May Eickmeyer of Jefferson City, and her son and daughter, Raymond Gary Eickmeyer and Clara Darlene Eickmeyer, also of Jefferson City; one half-brother, Larry E. Sole of Lee’s Summit, and his sons, Matthew Owen Sole and wife Mary of Platte City, and Marcus Scovern Sole of Lee’s Summit, and his three grandsons; seven step-children:  Kenneth Lee Salmons and wife Dianne of Soap Lake, Washington; Robert Leonard Salmons and John Martin of Soap Lake, Washington; Leslie Glenn Salmons and wife Sue of Eager, Arizona; Harold Woodrow Salmons and wife Jeanne of Russellville; Demetria Faye Bass of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Michele Burton of Eldon; Erik Wayne Salmons and wife Jessie of Conroe, Texas; and Janet Alcares and husband Pat of Rapid City, South Dakota; beloved foster step-children including Stacy Masqua of Jefferson City, and Gwen Porting and husband Ted of Jefferson City; 12 step-grandchildren, 17 step-great grandchildren; special step-cousin Philip Salmon of New Franklin; other relatives and friends, and finally her beloved kitties and barnyard pets.
     
Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Robert D. “R.D.” Salmons, her parents Gary K. “G.K.” Spalding and Helen Darlene Scott Spalding, and her beloved Toto, Scarlett, Missy, Cisco, Hondo, and Pumpkin, just to name a few of God’s creatures that Nettie tended to.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Annette’s heavenly birthday, Monday, June 21, 2021, at Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville, Missouri. An Eastern Star Service will be held at 10:30 am.

Interment will be in the Mount Carmel Cemetery near Eugene.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Callaway Hills Animal Shelter, or any animal shelter or animal welfare organization of the donor’s choice.

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville is in charge of the arrangements.

Those wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at the www.scrivnermorrowrussellville.com website.