Alice Gilliam Benge Sams

Alice Gilliam Benge Sams, 93, of Johnson Road, London, Kentucky passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025. She was born on June 12, 1931 in Laurel County, Kentucky, the daughter of Leonard Gilliam and Nannie House Gilliam of London, both of whom predeceased her.
She was predeceased by her husband of 22 years, Arnold Benge, who passed away in May, 1975. To that union was born one child, Marilyn Benge McGhee of London, Kentucky, who survives. She was also predeceased by her second husband of 40 years, George Sams, who passed away in July, 2020.
In addition to her daughter, she leaves behind 2 grandchildren, James Hansford Emmons of Lexington, Kentucky and Jacquelyn McGhee Marlow (Derek) of London, Kentucky and 2 great-grandchildren, McKenzie Marlow and Tatum Marlow, as well as a host of other family and friends. She is also survived by one brother, Leonard Gilliam, Jr. (Shirley) of Richmond, Virginia.
Alice graduated from London High School in 1948, at the age of 17, whereupon she immediately commenced teaching with the Laurel County Board of Education on an emergency certificate due to the lack of teachers at that time. She also volunteered for Harlan Sanders for Kentucky State Senate before he became the renowned Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken Fame.
She attended and graduated from Sue Bennett College and received a Bachelor's degree in Education from Union College. While teaching on the emergency certificate with the Laurel County School system, she would drive as much as 30 miles a day on dirt roads to teach at various schools throughout Laurel County. Once she received a permanent position, she taught at Wyatts Chapel, a one room school, where she taught all 8 grades. She later taught at Johnson Elementary School, London Elementary School and lastly at Laurel County Middle School, where she retired. She was an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for over 65 years and there she regularly
taught Sunday school and Bible school. She served as the church treasurer for 25 years.
Alice was an avid gardener who enjoyed the canning of vegetables and she loved horseback riding. Alice was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and Christian.
A funeral service honoring Alice will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 1 PM at Bowling Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Futrell officiating. Interment will follow at the D.B. House Cemetery.
Live stream of the funeral may be watched by clicking here.
The family of Alice Sams will receive friends beginning at 11 am Tuesday until the funeral hour of 1 pm at Bowling Funeral Home.
The Pallbearers are Chris Gilliam, Terry Young, Mike Rader, Jeff Benge, James Reid, and Johnny Hibbard, with honorary pallbearers Robert Daryl Durham and Bill Fouts.