Sammye Goldston

On the morning of October 19, 2017 our mother Sammye Carrol Goldston passed away and went to be with our Lord in Heaven. She was born September 29, 1937 in Ada, OK. The only child of Virgil and Thelma Sorrels they were both from Ada OK.

Over the years mom told us stories of growing up in rural southeastern Oklahoma. She loved riding her horse who she named Ficka, cane pole fishing and catching lightening bugs on warm and humid summer nights. Her parents were both country school teachers often living in "teacherages" provided by the schools where they taught. Both played the piano very well. As mom grew up, she began drawing and painting as well as playing the piano in her school talent shows. By the time she entered East Central University in Ada, OK she was a very accomplished in music and art with a special love for the classics. However, she earned her degree in teaching at the insistence of her father, who knew she needed something more concrete to build her life upon.
Mom began her teaching career in very small consolidated schools in S.E. Oklahoma much like her parents had done but was soon presented with a better teaching position in Roswell, NM. Over the next 30 years, Mom taught English, music and speech all over the district in Roswell to include Monterey, Mesa and Sierra Middle Schools and finally finishing her career at ENMU-R.

As talented as mom was in music and art her greatest gift was her ability to reach kids on whatever level she might find them. On many occasions, I visited her classroom at Sierra Middle School and was completely blown away by what I witnessed there. Her students who obviously adored her even clapped as she entered the room. Her classroom management style was one you've never seen before and could not ever be duplicated by anyone but her. Other teachers at Sierra even began sending their "discipline problems" to mom knowing that "if anyone can fix this Sammy can". If you had her for a teacher you definitely remember her! A teacher like her changes the course of your life.
Mom we miss you so much and will always be grateful that God blessed us with a mom like you. You made our home and the world a better place.

Sammye is survived by her four children J. Kyrt Goldston (Kim) of Tinnie NM, Mark Goldston (Sonja) of Roswell NM, Darin Goldston (Dana) of Albuquerque NM, Stacey Goldston of Roswell NM; nine grandchildren Taylor, Dylan, Cole, Nadine, Ty, Zack, Andy, Finola, and Chris; three great grandchildren Cash, Tristan, and Elizabeth.

A memorial service will be held at Ballard Funeral Home on Saturday November 18, 2017 at 2:00 PM.

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