Sammie Jake Scott

Sammie Jake Scott, of Amarillo, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at the age of 98.

A Prayer Service will be said 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter St., Amarillo, Texas 79109. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Rev. John Valdez as celebrant. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia, Amarillo, Texas 79110.

Sammie was born on September 13, 1918 in Post Oak, Texas to John and Sallie Scott. He served in the U.S. Airforce during WWII. In 1948 Sammie was married to Eva Marie Britten in a double wedding with Eddie and Dora Jean Homen, joined by Dora’s sister in Groom, Texas. They welcomed a daughter, Mary Ruth in 1949.  She felt like a daughter to Ed and Dora Homen and their boys were like  brothers to her.

After his service in the military in 1947, Sammie worked for Buthkers Flowers for ten years, “keeping his military card clean.”  He loved the business and established Scott’s Flowers in 1957. He worked in the shop until his passing for 61 years.

Sammie began the rose memorial ceremony along with Sister Olivia at St. Anthony’s Life Enrichment Center in 1981. It became BSA Hospice and now continues at BSA Hospice of the SW. A rose is placed in the hand of each person as they pass away.  He has also donated all the roses for the Rose Memorial Ceremony. This was very dear to his heart.

Sammie is a member of the WTNM Florist Association. He received a special award from all the young florist in the Panhandle, as Florist of the Century. They flew a flag over the White House in his honor. He is believed to be the oldest working florist in the U.S.

Along with his beautiful floral arrangements, Sammie was known for his loving and welcoming smile, and his passion for the St. Louis Cardinals.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Eva Marie Scott; a brother, Ford Scott; and sisters, Nova Patterson and Pauline Rich.

Sammie is survived by Mary Ruth Albracht and husband Billy of Amarillo; his and our sweetheart, Alberta Reinbold; two sisters, Cuba Lee Brooks of Amarillo and Johnnie Gregg of San Antonio; six grandchildren, Matt Albracht, Gina Langford, Sammy Albracht and wife Tara, Chip Albracht and wife Jennifer, Nick Albracht and wife Apryl and Jacob Albracht and wife Michele; thirteen great grandchildren; and the son he never had, Ray Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, send more flowers was his favorite saying.