WISE, VA.                                        NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Virginia Faye (Sams) Elliott, age 92, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday morning, November 9, 2024.

She was born Virginia Faye Green in Dickenson County, Virginia, to Frank Lee Green and Atlas Stanley Green.  She grew up in Stratton, along with two younger sisters, Ann and Ruby.

As a child, she attended Counts Chapel at Nealy Ridge. The family later moved to Fremont.  There was no church there, so her daddy started a Sunday School in an old coal company commissary (company store).

As a young girl, the family--dad, mom and Faye--made a trip across the country with her Uncle John Wes Branham and his family. They traveled in a truck with a homemade camper on the back, quite a feat for that day. It was almost like a covered wagon with a motor or maybe like the Beverly Hillbillies!

She started school on Ramsey Ridge in Dickenson County, going to a little country school and walking uphill both ways in the snow. It really was straight uphill through the woods (a shortcut) to the school and sometimes through deep snow. A teacher actually walked with the kids and helped them up the steep hill in the hard spots. That little school has been turned into a private residence.

When she was in the seventh grade, the family moved to Fremont where she attended Ervinton School in Nora. Her Grandpa Buddy Joe Stanley was the custodian, and her Grandma Samantha Dotson Stanley was the cook. So she had to be a good girl; she couldn't get           away with anything.

In eighth grade, they moved to Indian Creek Mountain in Wise, when her daddy bought an apple orchard. She attended Wise School, and her family started attending Glamorgan Chapel.  Her dad was a coal miner, but her mom and dad also worked the farm, raising a garden and keeping cows, pigs, sheep and chickens. There was always plenty of work to do, but they always had enough food for the family and shared with neighbors in need. Faye carried on that gift of generosity that was exampled to her by her mom and dad.

At seventeen, Faye went on a blind date. It was a double date, and the boy she was to go out with couldn't make it. The other couple asked if they could bring someone else for her to go out with, and she said, "Sure."  She met her future husband, Paul Sams, on that blind date. The love bug bit them, and after dating for four months, they married on April 30, 1950. When they were married four months, Paul was called back into the Army Reserves and was sent to Japan. After he was discharged, they made their first home in Norton and later moved to the Glamorgan section of Wise.

Paul and Faye were blessed in 1953 with their first little bundle of joy, a red-headed little boy they named Jeffrey. In 1959, the Good Lord sent a second bundle of joy, a little girl, Amanda, nicknamed of all things… "Poss!"

In 1968, they built a home on the family farm on Indian Creek Mountain…Faye's old stomping grounds as a teenager.

The family grew when Jeff married Cathy Hubbard in 1973, and Mandy married James Kilgore in 1976. The blessing of grandchildren came along in 1978 when Jennifer was born to Jeff and Cathy, and again in 1990 when Jamie was born to Mandy and James. Of course, in the eyes of Faye and Paul, no other grandchildren existed in the world.

More family members were added as the grandchildren grew up and married. Jenny married Scott Kiser in 2000, and in 2002 the first great-grandchild, Cassidy, was born, followed by Abigail, Caleb and Chase. God saw fit to take Caleb home with Him before we could meet him. Because of God's promises, Granny (Faye) has already met him!

Jamie married Brooke Shipley in 2014; and in 2018, Faye was blessed with her fifth great-grandchild, Jett, and again in 2023 with her sixth great-grandchild, Penn.

Her family grew further when her great-granddaughter, Cassidy, married Jordan Williams, and now Faye will have a first great-great-grandson in February.

In the summer of 1953, at Glamorgan Chapel, Faye accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was baptized at Clear Creek in the Ramsey Section of Norton while expecting Paul's and her first child. She had been a member of Glamorgan Chapel since June 14, 1953, serving in many areas. She was a leader in Ladies' Auxiliary, working tirelessly to promote missions work at home and abroad.  Many times traveling missionaries spent the night in her home. She started an auxiliary for young girls, taught Vacation Bible School, served as church conference clerk, coordinated meals and flowers for the bereaved, and worked many years with Paul in youth work. Together they started many other youth leagues at area churches, and the fruits of their labor can still be seen today. She served in various youth camps cooking meals. She was crowned "Queen of the Pie Makers" because of her delicious pies at church fellowship dinners.

The Lord called Paul home on January 26, 2001…a hard day, but knowing he was with Jesus brought her peace. God blessed Faye with a second marriage in February 2006, to Walter Sam Elliott. They continued to worship and serve together at Glamorgan Chapel until God called Walter home on October 2, 2011.

Faye decided to move into The Laurels Retirement and Assisted Living in Norton, in May 2019. The Lord blessed her with new friends and lots of activities to enjoy.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Atlas Green; her first husband, Paul Sams; her second husband, Walter Sam Elliott; her sister, Ann Heaberlin; step-sons, Greg and Rusty Elliott; and great-grandson, Caleb Kiser.

She is survived by her children, Jeff Sams and wife, Cathy; Amanda Kilgore and husband, James; step-daughter Julie Elliott Short and step-son Don Elliott and wife, Kathy; sister Ruby Wampler; grandchildren, Jennifer Sams Kiser and husband, Scott; Jamie Kilgore and wife, Brooke; great-grandchildren, Cassidy Kiser Williams and husband, Jordan; Abigail Kiser and Chase Kiser; Jett Kilgore and Penn Kilgore, and a host of other family and friends who were always in her prayers. She was a true prayer warrior.

The family is especially grateful to the caring and compassionate staff and administration at The Laurels. They have gone above and beyond in their loving care. We are also very grateful to Frances Smith and Heather Gardner for their kind and caring service to Mom, as well as grateful to Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate service.

Funeral services for Faye will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Monday, November 11, 2024 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Greg Sergent officiating. Family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. till time of services at 7:00 P.M. Monday, November 11, 2024 at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. Graveside committal services and Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap, VA. Family and friends will meet at 10:15 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home to go to the cemetery in procession. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in her memory to Glamorgan Chapel Youth Ministry, Free Will Baptist Family Ministries or Samaritan's Purse.

Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.