Doris Edwina Sams

January 26, 1931 - November 16, 2019

Doris Edwina Sams was born the fifth child of George and Minnie Dawson on January 26, 1931, in Bivins, Texas. She was educated at the City College of San Francisco and Prairie View University in Texas. Doris was married to Willard James Sams for 59 years. Two daughters, Susan Annette and Kathy Shavonne were born of this union. Her eldest child, James Stephen Spellmon, was born from a previous marriage. Doris took early retirement in 1986 from the San Francisco Foundation where she was Assistant Director for 16 years. She has been active in retirement on several Boards and Committees. Doris has been member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church since 1990, following several years at Our Savior Lutheran Church’s in Oakland and San Francisco. Throughout her years of church membership, she served faithfully in various capacities particularly as a deacon and on the Church Council. Preceding her in death were her husband, Willard James, her parents, George and Minnie Dawson, brothers Ercell Bernard, Alton Nathaniel and George and sister, Verdell, Johnnie and Lillian. Doris is survived by her daughters, Kathy Shavonne Saroyan (husband Wayne), Susan Annette Seruby, son, James Stephen Spellmon, Granddaughters, Analiese and Savannah Seruby, two sisters, Ethel Glosson and Francile Hegler (husband Dan), her aunt, Jessie Rambo, sister-in-law’s, Barbara Dawson and Yvonne Sam and many other relatives and friends. There will be Remembrance Service at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California on Friday, January 24th 2020, at 12:00 pm.