Janet Michelle Sams

Janet Michelle Sams, age 57 of Kingsport, passed into eternal rest during the morning hours of Monday, September 28, 2015. Janet was born to Nancy Jane Haltom Godbery and the late Leonce Godbery on April 8, 1958 in Kingsport,TN. Janet married Raymond Lynn Sams and after a short marriage, he preceded her in death in 1982. Janet will be remembered for her friendly attitude and as her sister described her, “she was my best friend.” She had a heart for all kinds of animals, including her favorite of all, frogs. Janet loved crocheting and knitting and she leaves a legacy of love and friendship for her friends and family. Janet is survived by her son, Chris Sams and his girlfriend, Pamela Castillo; her mother, Jane Godbery; one brother, Wayne Godbery; one sister, Nancy Steadman; two nephews, Josh Steadman and his wife Jeanene, and Jessie Steadman; several other nephews and nieces; her boyfriend, Tony McClellan; and two special friends, Kay Benard and Marcella. She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Sams; and her father, Leonce Godbery. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 2, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Funeral services will be at 7:00 p.m. immediately following visitation in the Chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home with Pastors James E. Mauk and Kaye Florence officiating.

Graveside service will be on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Garden of the Apostles of East Lawn Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Sams, Jessie Steadman, Gary Salyers, Brian Roberts, Gene Roberts, and Toby Roberts. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Josh Steadman, Roger Yankee, Alan Byrd, Wayne Godbery and Tim Hopkins. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway Suite 250 Dallas, TX 75244 or online at http://ww5.komen.org/Donate/Donate.html or to Amercian Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, New York 10016, www.kidney.org. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family.