Mrs. Josie Carolyn Nelms Sams

Mrs. Josie Carolyn Nelms Sams, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Pine Shadows Retirement Center in Sylvester, Georgia. She was 92 years old. The graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Sylvester, with the Reverend Donnie Duncan officiating. Mrs. Sams was born on August 31, 1931 in Sylvester, Georgia, to the late Jesse Robert Nelms, Sr. and Velma Bell Nelms. She was a 1948 graduate of Sylvester High School. She earned her Registered Nurse degree from Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing (Atlanta) in 1951. She married William Earl Sams, Sr. (Bill) on August 31, 1952. Mrs. Sams experienced an active career in Nursing for fifty-one years. Her career included Private Duty, Hospital, Public Health, and School Nursing. She was a member of and active in the Georgia State Nursing, National American Nursing, School Health Nursing, and the American Red Cross Organizations. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sylvester, the Local Barnard Trail Chapter of the Nation Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Worth County Historical Society. Her great love for her family prompted frequent family gatherings and reunions including extended family. Survivors include her children, William Earl Sams, Jr. of Sylvester, Lila Sams Paramore of Americus, and Walter Jesse Sams (Pamela Bible Sams) of Greensboro; grandchildren, Haley Carol Sams Harvell, Laura Catherine Sams Wood (Grant), Staci Marie Paramore Israel (Josh), Justin Sams Paramore (Rebecca), Jessica Marie Sams Schuman (Max) and Victoria Lynn Sams Ewell (Nathan); great grandchildren, Alan Wright Kimbro, Jr., William Worth Kimbro, Charlotte Grace Wood, Mary Ellison Wood, Josie Marie Goodwin Israel, Maddie Hinton Sams Israel, William Robert Paramore, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Mrs. Sams was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Earl Sams, Sr. (Bill) on April 30, 2011; siblings, John Eddie Nelms (Elaine), Dorothy Helen Nelms Gray (John), Jesse Robert Nelms, Jr. (Billie); nephew, Robert Crawford Nelms and a daughter-in-law, Gail James Sams; grandson-in-law, Gregg Stefan Harvell. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Red Cross. Please sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com. Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Josie Carolyn Nelms Sams

August 31, 1931 - August 22, 2024