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Betty Kathryn Keener Samaras was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the late Claud H. Keener, Sr. and Violet Sampson Keener. She has been married to John Michael Samaras, Sr., for 58 years. Together they have three children Veronica Lynn Samaras (Richie Sutton), John Michael, Samaras, Jr. (Ann Smith) and Lisa Samaras Bobbitt Lucas, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mrs. Samaras and her husband have been residents of Valdosta, Georgia, for the last thirty-seven years.

Mrs. Samaras is a graduate of Guilford High School; she attended Application State University and is a graduate of Valdosta State University with a BS Degree in Primary Education.

 Memberships

  • The Hereditary Order of Descendants of Loyalist and Patriots of the American Revolution (Honorary Governor General)
  • Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Organizing Governor, Bushy Creek Chapter; Honorary Governor, Georgia Society; Former First Deputy Governor General)
  • National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (Organizing Regent, Colonial Governor Chapter; Honorary Regent, Georgia Society; Marshal, National Society; State Regent's Club)
  • National Society Daughters of the Children of the American Colonists (Life member)
  • National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (Honorary President, Valdosta Chapter; Honorary President, Georgia Society; Past President of State Presidents Past and Present, National Chairman’s Club)
  • National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars (Honorary President, Georgia Society)
  • National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Secretary, Outstanding Junior, Waxhaws Chapter; Honorary Regent, General James Jackson Chapter; District Director; State Curator; Georgia Society Chorus; National Society; Chorus, Secretary; Georgia Regent's Club; National Theme Award for the American Heritage Committee)
  • United Daughters of the Confederacy (Secretary, Lancaster Chapter; President, Valdosta Chapter; Great Granddaughters Club)
  • Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War
  • Daughters of the Union Veterans of Civil War Ancestor Star
  • Descendants of Colonial Mothers (Founding Historian; Recording Secretary General)
  • Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers (Founding Member; Adjutant)
  • Descendants of Early First Responders (Charter Member)
  • Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen (Former Recording Secretary General; Corresponding Secretary General)
  • National Society Dames of the Court of Honor (Page)
  • National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters (First Deputy Governor General)
  • National Society Daughter of the Union 1861-1865
  • Order of Bacon’s Rebellion 1675-1677 (Historian; Parliamentarian)
  • Order of Founders of the Granville District 1663-1763 (Secretary)
  • Sons and Daughters of Colonial Antebellum Bench and Bar
  • Society of the 1704 Virginia Quit Rents (Librarian)
  • Civil War Round Table of Cobbs County
  • Friends of Friends (Associate Member)
  • Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon (Honorary Member)
  • National Order of the Blue and Gray
  • National Society Southern Dames of America (Honorary President, Piedmont Wiregrass Chapter, Former First Vice President, Georgia Society)
  • The National Gavel Society

Contributing Editor

The Lovingood Family, co-authored by Noah and Bea Lovingood

Co-Indexed

  • The Tabernacle United Methodist Church Cemetery, Mattie A. Plyler and Betty K. Samaras
  • The Unity Methodist Church Cemetery, Mattie A. Plyler and Betty K. Samaras

 Other

Mrs. Samaras is a life member of New Garden Friends Meeting. She is a 36-year member and Honorary President of Amaryllis Garden Club, a Life Member of the Garden Club of Georgia and the National Garden Club. She maintains both floral and vegetable gardens. She was a grade school and high school Girl Scout, and a leader for fifteen years. She has been a member of the Lake Park Methodist Church for twenty years and has served as the Bazaar Co-Chairman, Historian and Librarian. Her hobbies include gardening, travel, grandchildren, crafts, genealogy and reading.