SOSSAMAN, Faith Mather

Sossaman, Faith Mather Faith Mather Sossaman born in Greene, Iowa on April 22, 1904, Faith Mather Sossaman came to Arizona with her mother and father, Myra and Dan, brother Abner and sister Ruth, in 1912. The family rented land south of Chandler from Dr. A.J. Chandler. In the early 1920's the family homesteaded land in the Queen Creek area. She met J.H. (Jap) Sossaman when he was servicing the diesel engines that pumped the water for the farmland. Faith attended Chandler High School, graduating in 1923; she then attended Tempe Normal School (now ASU) graduating in 1925 with a teaching degree. After one year teaching in Mayer, Arizona, she eloped with Jap. The two of them married in Flagstaff and immediately left the state for California. By early 1929, the couple moved back to the Sossaman family farm in Queen Creek. In January 1932, Faith began teaching the Mexican children at Queen Creek Elementary School (they only went to school when there were no crops to harvest). In July of that year, their son, James (Jamie) was born. Faith resumed teaching in January 1933. Although knowing none of the language, she taught them English, all of their other subjects, and manners as well. Needing more fresh milk for their family, Faith bought another milk cow, which eventually turned into an entire herd of dairy cows. During the 1940's, Jap and Faith expanded their farming interests to land in Cortez, Colorado that was used to grow potatoes for seed. They were charter members of the Arizona Flying Farmers and enjoyed flying all over the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Faith was selected AFF Queen in 1953 and their first Woman of the Year in 1973. Always an entrepreneur, Faith opened "Chandler Stork Fashions," a maternity and childrens clothing shop, in 1953 in the downtown plaza, which she operated until selling it in 1967. Faith was active in Desert Digger's Garden Club in Queen Creek; she was a 50-year Member of the Order of Eastern Star and a past Worthy-Matron. Faith belonged for almost 50 years to Chapter AF, PEO Sisterhood. She had been an active member of the Chandler United Methodist Church since its founding in 1913. Faith is survived by her son, Jamie (Sue), who served in the Arizona Legislature for 24 years; three grandchildren: Kimberlee Sossaman, (and husband Chandler Assistant Police Chief Roger Nash); Stephen Sossaman, (Chris), farming in Queen Creek; and U.S. Army Major Scott Sossaman (Lisa), serving his country in Baghdad; eleven great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Faith and her family are extremely grateful for the loving care and thoughtful friendship that was provided by Iris Burgett, Michael Larson, and all the staff at Park Regency. Faith passed away November 28 in Chandler with her family by her side. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 6 at 11 am at Chandler United Methodist Church, with a viewing Friday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm at Buelers Mortuary, 14 W. Hulet Drive, Chandler. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a contributions be made to one of the following: Chandler United Methodist Church Relocation Fund, 251 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 85224; or the Chapter AF, PEO, c/o Jan Lemay, 801 W. Toledo, Chandler 85225. Published in the Arizona Republic on 12/4/2003.