Clay Edward Sams

Clay Edward Sams, age 85, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on June 4, 2026, at The Sharon at Southpark in Charlotte.

Clay was born on April 26, 1941, to the late Estel Clay Sams and Geneva Luvina Mantooth Sams in Hayesville, NC. He graduated from Franklin High School in Franklin, NC, in 1959. A proud and dedicated engineer, he graduated from North Carolina State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in 1963 and his Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 1965. Clay went on to build an extraordinary career with Law Engineering (now Wood Group), where he was a Senior Principal Engineer, served on the Board of Directors, and was also a Vice President. Clay retired after 52.5 years of service.

A devout Christian, Clay was an active member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church in Charlotte for nearly 60 years. Clay wanted no recognition, but was known as being very generous.

Above all his accomplishments, Clay was known for his devotion to his beloved wife, Betty Sue Williamson Sams. He was her absolute biggest fan throughout their beautiful marriage of almost 62 years. In his younger years, Clay spent time on his farm in Otto, NC, raising Christmas trees and joyfully hosting family reunions that brought everyone together. He also had a deep passion for automotive history, especially restoring classic trucks. He owned and restored both a ‘51 and a ‘56 Chevrolet truck. The ’56 Chevy belonged to Sue’s dad, and it was affectionately known to Sue and her sister Allene as the “Green Lizard”. Sue and Allene both learned to drive the ’56 and took their driver test with it.

Clay delighted in family traditions; at holiday gatherings, he would always bring balsa wood gliders for the children. He possessed a sharp eye for capturing these meaningful moments, finding great joy in taking candid photographs of his family during big holiday celebrations and family meals, creating a visual legacy that his loved ones will enjoy for generations to come.

Clay valued time spent with family. In his younger years, Clay spent many hours of trout fishing with his Daddy and brother Bill in trout streams of western NC and northeast GA. He was also excited every year to go with his family to Pawleys Island, SC, for a week-long vacation of salt creek and inlet fishing with his wife, Sue, and the rest of the family, watching the sunsets and sunrises, and enjoying huge meals with family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sue Williamson Sams, sister-in-law Allene Williamson Drummond and her husband BJ, infant brother Coy Sams, sister Eva Lynn Sams Haines, and brother-in-law, Ronald Haines.

Clay is survived by his brother, Bill Sams (Martha), his niece, Cathy Sams Littleton (Tim), his great-nephews, Garrison Owens (Ashley), Quinn Littleton, and Graeme Littleton, his great-niece, Morgan Owens Connor (Sam), and his two great-great-nieces, Cece Connor and Parker Owens.

The family wishes to thank the praying, loving, and caring church families of Prichard Memorial Baptist Church of Charlotte, Newman Chapel Baptist Church of Otto, NC, and Rocky Knoll Baptist Church of Walhalla, SC, and all of Clay and Sue’s friends and neighbors for their love and compassion.

The family also thanks all of the staff at The Sharon of Southpark for their care.

A visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 PM on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Newman Chapel Baptist Church at 60 Mulberry Rd, Otto, NC 28763, with a funeral and graveside service immediately following.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to Ms. Abel’s class at the Parker Academic Center in Charlotte, NC via check. Checks can be made payable to Krystal Abel with “Classroom” in the memo and mailed to 850 Windblown Place, Rockhill, SC 29730.

The Reverend Dennis Ledford and The Reverend Bobby Morrow will be conducting the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Sams family.