Teresa “Sam” Guyton

Sam Guyton (aka Teresa, Mama and Baba) went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 30, 2021 after battling COVID.

A Rosary will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life Mass will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, February 5, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland, Texas, with burial following at Serenity Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Teresa Marie Stanislawski was born in Johnson City, New York in 1937 to Julia and Louis Stanislawski. After graduating from high school in Corning, she attended Syracuse University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1959. Her friends nicknamed her “Sam” while at Syracuse.  Soon after graduation she met and married John Stephen “Steve” Guyton. They moved to Midland, Texas in 1960, and soon had two babies, Kim and Julie. Sam enjoyed being a mom and wife while the girls were young. Sam and Steve were very social and made many great friends in Midland through St. Ann’s and the oil business.

In 1977, Sam received her Master of Arts in Behavioral Science from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. While studying for her masters, she worked for the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center as a counselor/therapist. In 1983, Sam left MHMR to go into private practice.

Sam was very involved in the community. She served for 12 years on the board of the Battered Women’s Shelter, beginning in the early eighties.  She served as president of the shelter for two terms.  She also served as chair of the Batterer’s Committee.

A few of her awards for service include: 1998 Governor’s Volunteer Award, Woman of the Year (1984) from the Uptown Chapter of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Outstanding Service Award from the Permian Basin Center for Battered Women, and an award from the Texas Mental Health Counselor’s Association for ten years of dedicated service.

Sam also co-authored a book with her best friend, Marion Kimberly. This One is Just for You, Self Discovery for Midlife Women.

Sam absolutely loved her family. At her home, there are photos everywhere of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren!  She also dearly loved her friends and enjoyed hosting parties. For instance, she and her dear friend, Ginny Glenn, hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party every year for their friends. Sam also loved cooking for her family and friends. She made birthdays a BIG deal, and her family usually requested her amazing salmon for birthday dinner.

She was a go getter!  She walked almost every day of her life, and she loved to dance! She also enjoyed traveling with her family and her second husband, Frank Brownson.

Sam will be remembered for loving God and others with a passion. She loved so beautifully, and she was very well loved.

Sam is survived by her two daughters: Kim Daugherty, and her husband, David Daugherty and Julie Burbank, and her husband, Glenn Burbank. Sam is also survived by nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren: Matthew Daugherty, his wife, Tiffany, and their sons, Kale and Brock; Brent Daugherty; Nickolas Daugherty; Kate Daugherty; Sean Daugherty; Michael Burbank, his wife Katy, and their daughter, Bryleigh; Stephen Burbank, his wife Shelby; Kimberly Burbank; and Hannah Burbank.

Sam is preceded in death by her granddaughter Elizabeth Anne Burbank, Steve Guyton, and Frank Brownson.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Dr. Vaikuntam and the very special caregivers at Midland Memorial Hospital

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may made to the Battered Women’s Center at www.safeplacenow.com/donate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.