Sally Kay was the only child of Sarah Hal Williams and Robert Love Maxwell. She spent her early years in Belton, later grew up in Goldthwaite, and moved to Hamilton in the 8th grade. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1955.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1959, and later completed a Master’s degree in History. She was active in the Texas State Historical Society. Her academic interests also took her abroad to study at the University of Perugia and Sorbonne University. Sally Kay spoke French and Russian fluently, and had proficiency in German and Italian.
In 1960, she began a distinguished career with Pan American World Airways, serving as a purser and flight director. Her work placed her in landmark moments in aviation and culture, such as the Beatles’ first flight to the United States on Pan Am Flight 101 in February 1964, and the first 747 New York – London service in 1970. Sally Kay was a part of select group of Pan Am personnel to accompany LBJ during 1967 as part of a whirl-wind diplomatic around the world tour.
During the Vietnam era, she was part of the Pan Am contract to Air Force Military Airlift Command with flights to and from Saigon and other locations in Vietnam. Separately, she participated in humanitarian and special-mission projects, including flights helping bring orphans from other countries to adoptive families in the United States.
In later years, Sally Kay continued her love of learning as an educator. She served as a history professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and taught Latin in schools in Virginia Beach, San Antonio, and at Brazos Christian in Bryan.
A dedicated Christian, she was an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Texas.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Hemphill; her son, Ed Hemphill, of Austin, Texas; her daughter-in-law, Rachel Toronjo; and her grandchildren Thomas and Maya.
