At sixty-four, Patricia (Pat) Gillum Sams exemplifies the strength of tenacity, a trait that has shaped her life from childhood to the present. Growing up in a family with three older siblings, Sams learned early on how to advocate for herself. “As a child, I was always persistent, whether it was about wanting a toy or a chance to play a game,” she recalls. This early determination laid the groundwork for her future successes and challenges.
Sams’s life took a significant turn when she was not accepted at Florida State University. When she received her first real “no” in the form of a rejection letter, she was disheartened but not defeated. “I realized that life has its ups and downs, and how you respond to those challenges defines you,” she said. Sams applied again and was ultimately accepted. Not only did she earn her degree in communications, but she also found love, marrying her husband Vincent Sams, who has been her soul mate for thirty-eight years.
Back then, she set her sights on a career with State Farm, inquired about job opportunities but was told there were none. Rather than accept this, she continued to return to the office every two weeks for eight months to ask about hiring. “Persistence was key. I learned that when you want something, you just keep going,” she reflects. Her tenacity paid off leading to her eventual employment with the company.
Sams does not take “No” for an answer on anything,” says Wanda Willis, a dear friend of over thirty years. “Pat’s drive and persistence always amazes me. She is on the go all the time and continuously shows up for other people. I call her the “Energizer Bunny!”
Willis said they share a lot of personality traits, especially the love of community and family. “We have seen each other at our best and when we have struggles and I can tell you my friend is an overachiever.”
Life presented more challenges for Sams and her husband when they discovered they were expecting a daughter, Lauren. The joy of impending parenthood quickly turned into heartbreak when doctors informed them that Lauren would likely not live beyond two years. “I was devastated. I thought, ‘How did this happen to me?” Sams said. However, she found solace through prayer and her mother’s advice: “This is bigger than you.” Lauren defi ed expectations, living for ten precious years before passing away, a loss that profoundly impacted Sams and Vincent.
Though the couple longed for more children, Sams wasn’t ready to try again immediately. After two miscarriages, she finally welcomed two sons, Austin and Myles.
“Patricia had in her mind this very picturesque idea of how her life was supposed to be, and that all changed at an early age when we had our daughter Lauren. I think that it really changed who she is, who I am and who we are. We view things through that lens of understanding whatever we’re going through, whatever the worst things are, they are nothing compared to the struggle Patricia had from [Lauren’s] birth to her death. I think that’s molded us into who we are, how we live and how we go through life, individually and as a couple,” according to her husband.
“She raised two boys with a husband that owned his own business and traveled a lot. She’s a great mother. Extremely loyal and very direct. My wife cares deeply and has a very big heart.”
With a busy family life, she made the tough decision to retire from State Farm after over 20 years to focus on her family.
In the years since then, Sams has become involved in a variety of activities that align with her personal and professional goals. From shopping and yoga to pickleball and dancing, she has cultivated a fulfilling lifestyle. One notable achievement was her participation in a recent Dancing with the Stars competition to benefit the Beaches Fine Arts.
Sams commitment to caring for others continues through her nonprofit organization, Legacy League, which focuses on leadership development for women. “I want to help others find their voice and realize their potential,” she says.
Nat Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority said, “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated community servant on our Board. From Day One upon joining the JTA Board, Patricia immersed herself in our inner workings and has travelled on all of our various transportation modes. Her enthusiasm was recognized by our peers around the country as evidenced by her selection to serve on the American Public Transportation Association’s Board of Directors.”
Today, Sams lives by a philosophy that transcends personal challenges: “Life is bigger than you. It’s not just about individual experiences; it’s how we choose to receive and move through them. “We all face challenges, but it’s how we respond that shapes who we are,” she advises.
Her life serves as a reminder that determination, compassion, and community are vital components of a fulfilling life. Pat Sams continues to inspire those around her, proving that perseverance truly knows no age.
On October 27th, only a few days before the publication of this story, Sams was unexpectedly diagnosed with micro invasive lobular breast cancer. She told First Coast Senior Living, “I don’t know what this is going to look like, but I think it God’s way of telling me I need to take care of myself and I’m okay with that. We are built to be fighters and I’m going to fight this. I believe I can be an advocate for early detection.”
