Emily Sams

Emily Ruth Sams, a longtime resident of Graham, passed away on May 6, 2023 at the age of 81. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 2 p.m. in Loving Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

She was born on March 25, 1942, to Milton and Agnes Hitch and spent her early years in Loving and Graham with her siblings Don, Sue, and Gerry. She married Bill Alcorn and they had two children, Daniel and Diane. Emily and Bill later divorced and in 1980 she married Jim Sams, who survives her.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Emily became a fixture at the First National Bank in Graham where she began in the bookkeeping room and eventually worked her way into management. Emily loved people and loved her hometown, and during her years at First National Bank she formed many friendships that lasted throughout her life. She took her banking experience to Pearland, Texas in the early 1980s when they relocated for Jim’s job, and within a short period of time she was promoted to vice president at Pearland State Bank where she worked until health problems forced her to retire.

Jim’s job with Schlumberger took them to multiple places through the years—Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City, and even Montana—and Emily made friends everywhere she went. The job also provided Emily the opportunity to travel with Jim to nine different countries and she held especially fond memories of her trips to Scotland, Kuwait, and France. During her final days, she and Jim spent many hours reminiscing about their days in Paris. Upon Jim’s retirement, they returned home to Texas and enjoyed being closer to family and friends once again.

Emily is survived by her husband, Jim; son Daniel Alcorn and wife Melissa; daughter Diane Krause and husband Alan, and stepdaughter Stephanie Petty and husband Todd. She’s also survived by grandchildren Caroline (Krause) Reynolds and husband Chris; Matt Krause and wife Jaclyn; Taylor Ucker and husband Jeremiah; Tanner Petty, and great grandchildren Austin and Connor Reynolds, Jack and Norie Krause, and Kyler and Austyn Ucker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton Hitch and Agnes Hitch, and siblings Gerry Dale Hitch, Don Hitch, and Sue Herring.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers gifts to charitable organizations in Emily’s memory would be appreciated.