Sarah Jeanne Sams Aimar, widow of Dr. Charles Schley Aimar, passed away on Friday, June 16 at her home on The Point. She was born on April 25, 1926 in the historic Sams-Talbird home. Jeanne was the eldest daughter of Th??rese Anna Talbird and Melvin Toland Sams. She was descended from several of the oldest families of Beaufort, and was a direct descendant of Colonel John "Tuscarora Jack" Barnwell, who was a founder of the town of Beaufort and helped establish the Parish Church of St. Helena.
She was a volunteer with the Jaycettes, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, the Crippled Children's Society of SC, the Beaufort County Election Commission as a poll watcher, the Easter Seal campaign, the Beaufort Marine swim team, and in her children's and grandchildren's schools.
Jeanne enjoyed her involvement in hereditary societies. They included First Families of South Carolina, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the National Society of Daughters of American Colonists. Other memberships included Dataw Historic Foundation, Historic Beaufort Foundation, Republican Women's Club, Ribaut Garden Club, Ladies Coffee Club, and The Point Association.
Jeanne's loves were her faith, her family, gardening, and preserving and sharing her knowledge of Beaufort's history. She was a passionate advocate for ensuring that all street ends on The Point remain open public space as they were intended.
Jeanne is survived by her sister Therese Sams Colquhoun, her sister in law Betty Johnson Sams, her daughters Jeanne Aimar Rogers (John), Priscilla Aimar Trask, Pamela Aimar Kinsey, Amelie Aimar Cromer (Philip), her son Charles Schley Aimar, Jr. (Virginia), her eleven grandchildren, Elizabeth Allison Rogers (Richard), Jennifer Rogers Tosky (Ken), Kimberly Dargan Rogers (Bob), Sarah Trask Burrus (Perry), William Davis Trask, Jr. (Tessa), Robert Taylor Kinsey, III (Anna), Charles Talbird Hunter Kinsey, Fripp Cromer Langford (James), Barnwell Cromer Jones (Hampton), Charles Schley Aimar, III, and Margaret Louise Lachicotte Aimar, and by her twelve great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her brother Talbird Reeve Sams.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, from 5:00-7:00 at the home of her daughter, Amelie Cromer.
Services will be Friday, June 23, at 12:00 at St. Peter's Catholic Church with burial at the Parish Church of St. Helena Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church, Beaufort Academy, or a charity of one's choice.