Sammie R. Dogans

Sammie R. Dogans, at age 82, fell asleep in death on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Ridgewood Nursing Care Center. She was born Sammie Ruth Biles on April 4, 1935 in New Albany, Mississippi. Sammie was the daughter of the late Frank Lester Biles and Ada Eliza Jane White.

Sammie was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1953”. After high school, she was united in marriage to the late Acie Dogans on June 19, 1954 and that union lasted 62 years. With her capacity to care for her family and others, Sammie pursued a nursing career and in 1956, graduated from Saint Luke’s School of Nursing with a degree as a Registered Nurse. In the earlier part of her employment, she practiced her nursing skills at Saint Luke’s Hospital and in the late 70’s and mid 80’s, at the A-Center from which she retired in 1986. She was also a member of the National Black Nurses Association. As a spiritual person, Sammie dedicated her life in baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in January of 1960. She loved the spring flowers her husband planted in the garden at their home. Her favorite flowers were yellow rose and lily of the valley. She delighted in listening to the music of her era, reading history books, baking, knitting, embroidery and especially sewing. She also loved the color blue.

She will be dearly missed by her four children: Michele Dogans, Dawn (Dana) Dogans-Baylor, Eric (Mary) Dogans, Sr., and Karen Dogans; her grandchildren, Tiffany Golden, Taneka Golden, Melissa Dogans, Nicholas Baylor, Eric Dogans, Jr., Brianna Hunter and Tori Dogans; her great-grandchildren (who affectionately called her “Grandma Sammie”), Tianna Hawkins, Xavier Golden, Aniah Cunningham, Vanessa Hawkins, Yazmine Jude, Amari Dogans, Blair Hunter, Terrance Antonio Acie Lawson and Taraji Amayah Jale Lawson; 5 sisters (who fondly called her “Sammie Ruth”), Minnie (Sammy) Davis, Helen Jelks, Effie (Shelley) Lacy, Shirley Johnson and Jeanette White; 2 brothers, Willie (Thelma) Biles and Alvin (Ann) White; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Acie Dogans, one brother, Jimmie Carl White, an infant brother and sister.

The family will receive relatives and family at the viewing/remembrance service held at the Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home on Thursday, September 28, 2017 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm and a second viewing on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Maresh-Meredith from 10:00 am until 11:00 am followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am. Interment will immediately follow at Graceland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations in the name of Sammie R. Dogans are made to the American Alzheimer’s Association. We ask that all donations are stipulated for Dementia/Alzheimer Research.

The family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Ridgewood Care Center and Heartland Hospice for all their care and compassion.