Olive was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but spent her early childhood years with her parents, Rupert and Eva Freda Von Penske Weetman, and her eight brothers and sisters on their farm in Falls Church, Va. She was raised in a Christian home and joined the church at an early age. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Waco for over 37 years.

While a teenager, Olive moved to San Diego, Calif., to be with her sister, Esther Taylor, and she spent the next portion of her life there until she married Ross Martin Sams Jr. on Dec. 20, 1969, and moved to Waco.

When Olive was in California, she was prominent in civic work including serving as President of Zonta and President of the Council of Presidents which was made up of all presidents of the United Way agencies. She was the first woman to become Employment Manager for Pacific Bell Telephone as she continued to break the glass ceilings for women employees. Olive was also County Commissioner for the county of San Diego when she resigned and moved to Texas.

Once in Waco, she quickly became involved in the community, serving as President, Trustee, and Chair of the YWCA, the Grand Jury, and the City Human Relations Committee. She graduated from Baylor University in December 1985 and was a guest lecturer in the Hankamer School of Business for many years. She served on a committee of three who selected the Baylor Homecoming Queen for years and was also a member of the Baylor Education Committee. She became editor and publisher of the family business, L.L. Sams & Sons, news magazine, Pew Parade, and she soon knew every one of the hundreds of people working there and about their families.

Once she became Ross' wife, she learned to cook and entertain for both business and social occasions. She cheerfully adapted herself to her husband's recreational habits, watching football and basketball, playing cards and backgammon as they traveled the world together. She fit into her husband's plans in every way and he always referred to her as his "Perfect Wife". When Olive moved to Waco, she changed from an extremely capable business executive into a wonderful mother of two teenagers who renamed her Sweeto. She planned and managed Jamie's debutante party, Donna's and Jamie's weddings and she was the only grandmother that Nathan or Sarah ever knew. Olive had a heart of compassion for stray animals and many, many became their "family members".

Survivors include her loving husband, Ross Sams, Jr., of Waco; daughters, Jamie Sams, of Sante Fe, N.M., and Donna Sams, of Waco; grandchildren, Nathan O'Neal, of Austin, and Sarah Sanner, of Fort Wayne, Ind; great-granddaughter, Abigail "Abby" Sanner, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; sister, Fay "Mrs. Bill" Gilchrist, and her daughter, Linda Gilchrist McGuffin and husband, Rick, all of Lemon Grove, Calif.; brother, Jim Weetman and his wife, Joan, of Santa Rosa, Calif.; her sister-in-law, Mary Sams Howell; Mary's son, Hobby Howell, and his sons, Hob and Clark Howell; Mary's daughter, Gala Howell King, and her son, Chance King; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews and loving friends.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 2/20/2007...H1

Olive was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but spent her early childhood years with her parents, Rupert and Eva Freda Von Penske Weetman, and her eight brothers and sisters on their farm in Falls Church, Va. She was raised in a Christian home and joined the church at an early age. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Waco for over 37 years.

While a teenager, Olive moved to San Diego, Calif., to be with her sister, Esther Taylor, and she spent the next portion of her life there until she married Ross Martin Sams Jr. on Dec. 20, 1969, and moved to Waco.

When Olive was in California, she was prominent in civic work including serving as President of Zonta and President of the Council of Presidents which was made up of all presidents of the United Way agencies. She was the first woman to become Employment Manager for Pacific Bell Telephone as she continued to break the glass ceilings for women employees. Olive was also County Commissioner for the county of San Diego when she resigned and moved to Texas.

Once in Waco, she quickly became involved in the community, serving as President, Trustee, and Chair of the YWCA, the Grand Jury, and the City Human Relations Committee. She graduated from Baylor University in December 1985 and was a guest lecturer in the Hankamer School of Business for many years. She served on a committee of three who selected the Baylor Homecoming Queen for years and was also a member of the Baylor Education Committee. She became editor and publisher of the family business, L.L. Sams & Sons, news magazine, Pew Parade, and she soon knew every one of the hundreds of people working there and about their families.

Once she became Ross' wife, she learned to cook and entertain for both business and social occasions. She cheerfully adapted herself to her husband's recreational habits, watching football and basketball, playing cards and backgammon as they traveled the world together. She fit into her husband's plans in every way and he always referred to her as his "Perfect Wife". When Olive moved to Waco, she changed from an extremely capable business executive into a wonderful mother of two teenagers who renamed her Sweeto. She planned and managed Jamie's debutante party, Donna's and Jamie's weddings and she was the only grandmother that Nathan or Sarah ever knew. Olive had a heart of compassion for stray animals and many, many became their "family members".

Survivors include her loving husband, Ross Sams, Jr., of Waco; daughters, Jamie Sams, of Sante Fe, N.M., and Donna Sams, of Waco; grandchildren, Nathan O'Neal, of Austin, and Sarah Sanner, of Fort Wayne, Ind; great-granddaughter, Abigail "Abby" Sanner, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; sister, Fay "Mrs. Bill" Gilchrist, and her daughter, Linda Gilchrist McGuffin and husband, Rick, all of Lemon Grove, Calif.; brother, Jim Weetman and his wife, Joan, of Santa Rosa, Calif.; her sister-in-law, Mary Sams Howell; Mary's son, Hobby Howell, and his sons, Hob and Clark Howell; Mary's daughter, Gala Howell King, and her son, Chance King; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews and loving friends.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 2/20/2007...H1