Doris-Sams-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Stevens Mortuary - Knoxville

Doris Jane Sams

Feb 2, 1927 – Jun 28, 2012 (Age 85)

About

BORN
February 2, 1927
DIED
June 28, 2012
AGE
85
CHARITY
Alzheimer's Association

Obituaries

Stevens Mortuary - Knoxville Obituary

SAMS, DORIS JANE "SAMMYE DOKEY" – age 85, born February 2, 1927 to Pauline Moore Sams and Robert J. Sams who predeceased her in death, as well as her two brothers, Paul (Bud) Sams, and Robert (Bobby) Sams; and nephew, David Meredith Sams. She attended Flenneken Elementary School, South Junior High and Knoxville High School. She worked for many years at KUB and played professional baseball from 1946 to 1953. She was inducted into the Women's Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970. Member of Vestal United Methodist Church. Survivors: sisters-in-law, Doris Sams and Winona Sams; first cousins, Jack Marshall of Akron, Ohio, and Gordon Sams; great-nieces and great-nephews, Kelly Brooks, Madeleine Brooks, Samantha Fraser, and David Benjamin Fraser. A funeral service will be held 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Stevens Mortuary Chapel with Dr. George Hollander officiating. The eulogy will be given by Frances Rader, and music by Karen Maples Sams. The family and friends will meet 10:45 a.m. Monday at Woodlawn Cemetery for a graveside service and interment at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers: Roland Julian, Bob Overton, Don Hendrix, Joey Trammell, Lloyd Maples, and Harold Maples. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919 or Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37920. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Doris was a well known family member. My Mother was a Doyle, and they were all related to the Sams family. She was of the age group where most of the family has passed away.

You were a hero to all in Kalamazoo (Lassies), MI in the 50's. RIP.

Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us. Godspeed.

Love to have a game of catch with this wonderful woman. Maybe someday.

Most people who have learned about the league didn't know that each city where there was a team there was also a future league for upcoming players. I was 9 when I first walked toward a park, in a new neighborhood where I heard the crack of a bat and the smack of a baseball hitting the center of a baseball glove. From that day forward I was in love with the idea of being another Doris Sams. Many of my pals on the Future Daisies League in Fort Wayne, IN., thought I looked like Doris. When she...

Just found out that Doris was my grandfathers cousin, I never got to know much of my grandfathers side since he passed pretty young. I was quite young but we have done some research and can't find much on the extended family, what an amazing woman! My children and my nieces are spectacular at baseball and softball maybe that's the side it comes from ! My father is curious to know doris parents name and extended family. My prayers go out to our extended family and send love and comfort your...

doris was a great friend of mine. i can agree with her dentist, she was a lot of fun. i miss her very much and will always remember her friendship.

bob overton

Thanks for the memories.

I, too, say "thank you" Doris Sams, to you and all the other women who stood tall for women! There are many of us who sooo appreciate all the hard work that went into forming and playing on the first women's teams! Thank you.