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W.H. Mays Mortuary

1221 James Brown Blvd.

Augusta, Georgia

James Sams Obituary

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mr. James Edward Sams was born April 23, 1941 to the late Charlie and Rutha Mae Hart Sams. He entered into rest Saturday, September 14, 2013 at University Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. from Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 710 East Cedar Street, with Rev. Dr. J.R. Hatney pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Mount Olive Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends this evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. James graduated in 1960 from Waynesboro High and Industrial School. He was the first African-American salesperson with Barton Building Supply Company of Augusta. He owned and established several companies, Augusta Air and Brake Fabrication, Awesome Pyramid Building Supply and Advanced Construction and Design Company. James accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized at Portersville Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Georgia, under the leadership of Reverend O.S. Scott. He later was ordained as a Deacon at the Greater Young Zion Missionary Baptist Church and later united with Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church and served faithfully as Deacon until his death. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Bessie Sams and Henry Franklin Sams. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Helene Thomas Sams; five children, Gilbert Baxley, Atlanta, GA, Jeffrey Sams, Wanda (Leonard) Dixon, Maurice and Trevor Sams, Augusta, GA; seven step children, Wilhelmina (Joseph) Washington, Marvin (Pam) Thomas, Augusta, GA, Vincent Thomas, Atlanta, GA, Joyce (Elijah) Greer, Dublin, GA, Loretta Hutto, Augusta, GA, Damon Thomas, Atlanta, GA and Tiffany Kelly, Charlotte, NC; two sisters, Betty (Jimmy) Williams, St. Petersburg, FL and Josephine (John P.) Jones, Augusta, GA; seven brothers, Sheridan President, Wiliford (Patricia) Sams, Charlie (Eloise) Sams, III, Robert (Eloise) Sams, Willie (Gwendolyn) Sams, Sammy Sams, Augusta, GA and Leroy Sams, Syracuse, NY; a loving aunt and uncle, Frank and Irene Sams, Augusta, GA and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. W. H. Mays Mortuary, 1221 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 722-6401.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Augusta Chronicle from Sep. 15 to Sep. 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for James Sams

Not sure what to say?





Johnnie Mae Wells

September 23, 2013

To Helene and family, may the lord strengthen you during this time of bereavement.

Stanley Stubbs

September 21, 2013

To the Family of James Sams
I was not informed that my life long friend had pass until Thursday when informed by Mamie Smith. My wife and I send our deepest sympathy. God bless and keep you. [email protected]

Alice Butler

September 20, 2013

Helene Thomas Sams and Family, you have my deepest sympathy and prayers.

September 20, 2013

To The Sams Family
Keeping you and The Jones Family in prayer.
Love The Lowe Family of The True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.

Sheeinee K. Goss

September 20, 2013

To Helena and family: My Sincere Thoughts and Prayers are with the Sams family now and always. May GOD's abiding LOVE continue to keep you......

Tiffany Kelly

September 19, 2013

Thank you for your guidance! I'll never for get you. Words can't even express the love that I have for you. Thank you again for never ending love and support....


Tiffany Kelly

September 19, 2013

Remembering you in my prayers. May Our Lord be with you as you endure the loss of a great man. Your friend in Christ, Janice Breazeale. W/ Chuck Harmon

September 19, 2013

bro.Ralph Kirksey See you .

Marie Johnson

September 19, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Tamara McKethan

September 19, 2013

My prayers are with you. May the blessing of God's promises surround you all.

Benita Kirkland

September 19, 2013

May your many memories help strengthen you.

James Allen

September 19, 2013

To my brother in law Charlie Sams. May God Bless you and your family.

Mrs. Sarah Herringto & Family

September 19, 2013

Our prayers are with you'll at this time of lost, but know that your lost is heavens gain and he's resting in the arms of the ALL MIGHTY now.

Sherry & Robin Haire

September 19, 2013

A Peace, A Place and a Purpose, I know that Mr. James is at peace, he always had purpose and the final resting place for him is with the father in Heaven.

Ouida Hart Pippins

September 19, 2013

With Sincere Sympathy of James Sams he celebrated a life well lived, We will cherish the memories of him forever,may he now R.I.P.

Pammela Raines

September 19, 2013

Family,
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Uncle James has kept the faith and fought his fight.He now is receiving his reward of eternal life.
May the love, strength and compassion of God lead, guide and direct the family until we see him again.
Blessings,

September 18, 2013

Our prayers are with the Sams family during this most difficult period. May God Blessings be with each of you. Carolyn Slydell-Cotton and Jerry Cotton, Evans, Ga.

Betty Allen

September 18, 2013

To my brother n law Charlie Sams and his family you have my deepest sympathy.

Jackie Smiley Freeman

September 18, 2013

You will be missed a lot but not forgotten. your family member with love

Larry Stallings

September 18, 2013

To Ms. Helena, I am so sorry for your loss. James was truely a good person and a strong man. I always enjoyed talking with him. I will certainly miss him. I want you to know that I am here for you if you should need anything.

Joyce F. Fuller

September 18, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Phyllis & Calvin Brown

September 17, 2013

To the Sams Family. May you find love and Peace during these trying times. Mr James was a wonderful person.He was also very caring. He will truly be missed.May he rest in peace. We loved him but God loved him more.We will forever keep the fun memories in our hearts.Thank God he want have to suffer anymore.Mr James will always have a special place in our hearts.

September 17, 2013

With Heartfelt sympathy....we were sadden to hear of the passing of my classmate ('61) and friend Brother James Sams. My prayers are with James' family at this most difficult period in your life, may the Blessings of God be with all of you. Rest in Peace. eeChris H. Bennett and family, Mercer Island, Washington.

Patricia Martin

September 16, 2013

So saddened to hear of your lost. Asking God to strengthen & comfort your family.

September 16, 2013

May the grace of God be with you and your family now and always. May you find Love and Peace in these difficult days and times ahead. With deepest Sympathy........Class mate& Friend Violet Williams and Family

September 15, 2013

To the Sams Family, We sympathize with your great loss. But always remember that God needs the best and so he has chosen James. He was a wonderful classmate and person. May he rest in peace. Mary & Roy Flournoy. Decatur, Ga.

Marco Brown

September 15, 2013

You will be missed alot. I'll always remember the memories that you left behind and the given gift of kindness you enmbraced as our beloved family member. Thanks

Viola Rickerson

September 15, 2013

To the Sams Family,James will be truly missed,I miss him already just knowing that I will never hear him sing or pray one of those powerful prayers,he fought a good fight and he endured to the end,God saw that he was getting tired and he whispered to James that it was time to come home to be with him,he's at peace now,we can rejoice in knowing that he's with The Lord,Helena,know that I love you and I am here for you,may the Grace of God be with you and your family as you transition through this phase in your life"

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