Sue Williamson Sams of Charlotte, NC, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Some stories deserve to be told slowly. This is one of them.
Sue held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
The community of faith holds its own well — and Sue was held.
Betty Sue Williamson Sams, 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 4, 2026, at The Sharon of Southpark, Charlotte North Carolina. She was born in Macon County, North Carolina, on July 16, 1944, to parents John H. Williamson and Willie Mae Williamson.She was a 1962 graduate of Franklin High School and earned a BA in Math from Western Carolina in 1965 and later a Master's Degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.She was married to the love of her life Clay Sams on September 3, 1964. Many of her last days were spent holding hands with Clay at The Sharon of Southpark where they were both residents.Sue taught advanced placement math and related courses at East Mecklenburg High and Providence High in Charlotte for a total of 44 years. She served as head of the math department for many years and received multiple awards and recognitions during her career. Sue served on numerous committees and organized many major high school events. She took special interest in all of her students and spent countless hours advising and counseling them regarding future education and career paths. Sue definitely loved her work and students.One of Sue’s interests was having a well-groomed yard and lots of beautiful trees and flowers at their home in Charlotte. Sue and some of her neighbors formed a community garden club decades ago and the club remains active today.She and Clay spent much time at the Sams family home in Otto NC with family. Sue enjoyed having big family gatherings and was an amazing cook. She was always concerned about having the favorite dish of each family member. The Williamson and Sams families cherished spending time together.For over 40 years the Sams family has vacationed at Pawleys Island, SC each summer for fishing, swimming, boating and sharing lots of big meals many of which were prepared by Sue. She loved fishing in the backwaters for flounder, speckled trout and red drum. The family has many good memories of the time spent with Clay and Sue. Sue will be missed by all.Sue and Clay are devout Christians and have been members of Prichard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte close to 60 years. Sue has served faithfully on committees and has held many positions in the church including deaconess.Through the church, Sue has been involved with the Parker Academic Center kindergarten class in Charlotte since 2016. Sue would spend time with students during their “group times” reading to and teaching them. It was not a bible class, but Sue set a Christian example and had a positive influence on each of the students. She would always have a special treat and some gift for each individual in the class. Sue called them all her “babies” and referred to them as “scholars”, and they all love her. Sue will be missed by this class and the school.Sue was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Freda Mae Williamson and Myra Allene Williamson.Sue is survived by her husband Clay Sams, Clay’s brother Bill (Martha), niece Cathy Sams Littleton (Tim), great-nephew Garrison Owens (Ashley), great-nephew Quinn Littleton, great-nephew Graeme Littleton, great-niece Morgan Owens Connor (Sam), and two great-great-nieces, Cece Connor and Parker Owens.The family wishes to thank the praying, loving and caring church families of Prichard Memorial Baptist Church of Charlotte, Newman Chapel Baptist Church of Otto, NC, and Rocky Knoll Baptist Church of Walhalla, SC. and all of Clay and Sue’s friends and neighbors for their love and compassion.The family also thanks all of the staff at The Sharon of Southpark for their care.A funeral service will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Newman Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Dennis Ledford and Rev. Bobby Morrow officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday evening May 8, 2026, at Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory.Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Sams family.
