A native of Allendale, South Carolina, Willie Mae has been a resident of Rome And Floyd County for 50 years.
She received her undergraduate degree from Paine College in Augusta and her Master’s degree in English from Atlanta University with a concentration in African-American Studies. She spent 31 years as a classroom teacher of high school English.
Since retirement she has involved herself in many phases of volunteer work.
*Child Advocate for Youth Programs sponsored by her Sorority
* Volunteer organizer and instructor for 100 Black Men’s Black History Bowl
* Founder of Gateway Performing Arts Troup
* Community Outreach Coordinator for Thankful Baptist Church Soup Kitchen
* Director of Cultural Arts of Fairview/E.S. Brown Restoration Project
* Director of Fairview Glee Club Singers
* Advisor for Domestic Violence Organization
* Assistant Program Coordinator-East Rome Association’s Senior Group at Fielder Center
* Director of Friday Night Drama Presentations Martin Luther King Celebration
* Contributing Writer for Rome News Tribune
*Director/Founder African American Connection for Performing Arts 2006-Presnt
*Judge for League of Women Voters Annual Poetry Slam Contest
* Board Member of the AHHA Organization in Cave Spring
Nominated by Quida Sams and Laney Stevenson “The word “love” is also an action word. It is what it does. Willie Samuel-Sams loves this community and demonstrates this love in her daily living”.