Frances Lee Sams (Plainview)

Frances Sams Celebration of Life Livestream

Frances Lee Sams, a very loving and loved woman moved out of Westridge Manor into Heaven on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Bennie Frances Lee was born August 22, 1930 in Levelland, Texas to Benjamin Franklin and Maggie Alline (Hammett) Lee. She spent most of her childhood in Brownfield, Texas and graduated from Brownfield High School in 1947. She attended college in Bethany, Oklahoma at Bethany Nazarene College. She married her high school sweetheart, Walton Edwin Buchanan on July 29, 1949. Together with his parents they established Buchanan Dairy near Hale Center and built a life raising Golden Guernsey cattle and running a dairy. Frances and W.E. had two daughters, Deborah and Charlotte. W.E. died in 1959. In 1960, Frances married James Doyle Sams, they made their home in Plainview where J.D. was a builder for Belk and Cook Construction. A son, James Lee was added to the family in 1961.

Frances had a special place in her heart for children and immersed herself in activities that benefited children. She was active in children’s church activities, PTA and foster care. In 1967 Frances and Mr. Sams bought College Hill Day Care Center and for the next 40 years Frances was busy taking care of children. Through this enterprise she met many people that she maintained relationships with for the rest of her life. She loved her work and always enjoyed knowing about former students and teachers.

Frances was a dedicated Christian and a member of College Heights Baptist Church of over 60 years. Frances was honored to be chosen Women of the year in 1984.

Frances is survived by her children, Deborah (Steve) Gault of Sugar Land, TX, Charlotte (David) Adams of Halfway, TX and Dr. James Lee Sams of St. Clair Shores, MI; her grandchildren, Joe (Karen) Gault of West Lin, OR, Dianne Gault of San Francisco, CA, Abby Adams (Steve Otto) of Lubbock, TX and Carter (Bailey) Adams of Halfway, TX and five great grandchildren, Payton Gault, Lauren Gault, Reed Adams, Owen Adams and Neeley Ann Adams.

Even after W.E.’s death, Frances enjoyed a very close and loving relationship with his family. She is survived by his siblings, Buck Buchanan (Myra) of South Jordan, UT and Martha Buchanan of Oklahoma City, OK.

Also surviving are her nieces, Amaryllis (Mike) Lobb of Mt. Sherman, KY, Sheila Cooper (Roy) of Mason, TX and Janice Bellows (Jerry) of Ft. Collins, CO and J.D.’s nephew, George Meriwether (Debbie) of Humble, TX.

She is preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Andrew; her older brother, Jay Lee Shelborne; her younger sister, Ruthie Bell; her older sister, Clara Velma Stark; her first husband, W.E. Buchanan; a foster daughter, Darla Sue Vanlandingham and her second husband, J.D. Sams.

The family is grateful for the loving tender care she received at Westridge Manor for the last five years from an amazing staff and from the staff of Traditions Hospice for the last few months.

A graveside service will be held at 9:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Parklawn Memorial Gardens. A celebration of her life will follow at 10:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Kornerstone Funeral Directors.

The family suggests memorials be made to College Heights Food Bank, 802 Quincy, Plainview, TX 79072.