Veta Sams, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at age 101. She was born in Tullahoma, but lived most of her life in Elizabethton and Erwin, Tenn., before moving to Knoxville in her last decade.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Nell (Wilson) Frye; son, Robert David Shupe; and husbands, Robert Lee Shupe, Vernon Sams and Paul Sams. Two sisters and one brother also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughter, Harriet Shupe Hodge and husband, Dr. Fred Hodge of Knoxville, and daughter-in-law, Jacquelyn Stecker Shupe of Dallas, Texas. Grandchildren Debbie Hodge Sanders, Fred Hodge Jr. and wife DeeAnn, Chris Hodge and wife Tanya, Jenny Hodge Haarbauer and husband Michael, Stephanie Shupe Hunt and husband Rob, Holly Shupe Douglas and Robert David Shupe Jr. and 12 great-grandchildren also survive her.
A faithful member of First Christian Church, Erwin, her warm and loving spirit served others throughout a long life. As a mother, kindergarten teacher and housemother to young women at Virginia Intermont College, Bristol, Va., her strong and ever-present faith was a source of inspiration to all she met. Her graciousness, marvelous sense of humor and gift of storytelling endeared her to everyone. Veta’s lifelong interest in learning included reading, history, writing poetry and music. She will be greatly missed by her devoted family and all who knew and loved her. Her final days were spent at Manorhouse, Northshore Drive, Knoxville, and the family is extremely grateful for the loving care she received there and the kindness of her many friends.
The funeral will be on Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Dr. Larry Fields officiating. Family and friends will then gather on Saturday at noon at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, Tenn., for the interment. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com.
Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, Knoxville, is in charge.