THE FLOYD COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM MEMORIES 1979
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THE SAMS FAMILY
By Betty Bruce—
Andrew Jackson Sams and Addie Owens were united in marriage in Greenville, Texas. A.J. (1849-1932) and Addie (1867-1941) came to this country with A. J.’s brother, (Name Unknown) and his mother, Jenne, (1819-1894). The brother left, settled around Benjamin, and was never heard from again.
A.J. and Addie were traders. They settled in Della Plains, living in a dugout for a while. A. J. was a storekeeper until Della Plains population ebbed away and they moved two miles west and settled in Mayshaw, another short-lived town. A. J. became the first postmaster of Floyd County.
Buck Sams their eldest son, was born in Floyd County in 1891, (supposedly first baby boy born in county). Their daughter Cora was born in 1892. They also had another son, Clarence, who died when he was four years old. A. J. and Addie decided to move to Plainview so Buck and Cora could attend school there. They later moved back to Lockney and settled one mile south and two miles west. There they lived until A. J. passed away in 1932 and Addie died in 1941. In later years the old Sams home was torn down and the lumber was hauled to Ruidoso and a summer home was built by Buck and Ruby Sams.
Cora Sams married Mr. Erwin Faulkner. They had two sons, Harry and Max, who now live in Phoenix, Arizona. She died t the age of 41 with tuberculosis.
Buck Sams was united in marriage to Essie Mitchell. They had one son, Dr. Robert Mitchell, heart specialist in Plainview. Buck’s wife Essie was killed in a car accident, and Robert lived with his mother’s parents and never with Buck.
In 1914, on June 6, at Olton, Texas, Buck married Ruby Maude Thompson, daughter of E. P. and Rose Thompson of Floyd County. Buck and Ruby were blessed with two children; Rex Beach and Marvin Jones Sams. Rex and Marvin both went to school in Lockney. Marvin attended college at West Texas and was also in the service. In 1940, he married Rosezell Bonds.
They had one daughter, Donna, who now resides in Seminole. Marvin passed away in April, 1972 and Rosezell resides on their homeplace south of Lockney. Marvin and Buck were partners in farming for several years.
Rex was married to James L. Baxter. Two children were born, Jacqueline and Betty June. This marriage ended and in May 1940, Rex married Floyd W. Jackson, the youngest son of J. W. and Emma Jackson, also of Floyd County.
Rex will be remembered by a lot of people, especially ladies, when she operated the Jack and June Shop (named after her two daughters) in Lockney. She must have inherited this special talent for fashion from her grandmother, Addie Sams, who had a little hat shop in Lockney years ago. Rex was also Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, following in her mother’s footsteps as she was also one of the youngest Worthy Matrons in Lockney. They both loved their Eastern Star work.
Rex and Floyd lived in and around Lockney all their married life until Rex passed away August 6, 1975. Her daughter Jacqueline resides in Brownwood, Texas and Betty June lives in Childress, Texas. Betty has two daughters, Jackie Kay Taylor and Julie June Bruce. She is also blessed with two grandchildren, Cory Jim Taylor and Courtney Kay Taylor.
Buck and Ruby Sams were very active in the First United Methodist Church in Lockney. Ruby especially loved her church and all is members. Buck was always so proud to be called an Old Settler. Always on the day of the parade he was up bright and early getting ready to ride in the parade and to carry the flag.
Ruby passed away in 1967 at the age of 70 and Buck died in 1972 at the age of 80.
A.J. and Addie, Buck and Ruby and Rex and Marvin were all so proud to be a part of the establishment and success of Lockney and Floyd County.
