Samuel "Sammy" Benjamin Garris, Sr.

Samuel "Sammy" Benjamin Garris, Sr.,

As an octogenarian, Samuel (Sammy to anybody that actually knew him) was born to Earl and Eloise, a long time ago. Since there was not much to do growing up in Leroy, he sharpened his wit and his hook shot. Over these early formative years, he grew tall, and helped Leroy High School to the state finals in basketball. He moved on to Mississippi State University where he learned to ring his cow bell. Upon graduating, he worked for Jockey before returning home to help manage the family farm. During this time, he managed to convince Carolyn McInnis that he was worth marrying, and two became one for 39 years. He plowed many an acre, sowed seeds, and grew cotton, corn, soybeans and three wonderful sons: Sam, Clifton Earl, and Kevin, who being 10 years the younger, kind of snuck in. Sammy was a man of many talents and served his church and community in numerous ways. He was always willing to help and give advice, whether asked for or not. Woodworking was a passion and coffee his elixir with the kitchen often smelling of roasting coffee. He was stubborn, which seems to be a family trait, and opinionated. He did his part to better the world around him with his kindness, generosity and humor. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, whom he missed daily and certainly would have marked this in red ink were she alive today, as well as his sister Joyce and his beloved demon dog, Coco. He leaves behind three loving sons and four grandchildren, who will miss him dearly but have many fond memories. So, on October 17, 2019, heaven welcomed home a cow bell ringing, horse riding, straight shooting, tractor driving, humorous, God-fearing, family loving heck of a man.

Survivors

Three Sons

Samuel B. Garris, Jr.

Clifton Earl (Melissa) Garris

Kevin (Olivia) Garris

Brother ~ Edward "Bama" Garris

Four Grandchildren

Evan, John Wesley, Cloie and Eli

Preceded in Death by:

Parents

Earl Franklin Garris and Eloise Chapman Garris

Wife ~ Carolyn McInnis Garris

Sister ~ Joyce Hutchinson

Visitation (Wake) will be Monday, October 21, 2019, 6 ~ 8:00 PM, at First Baptist Church Leroy.  Funeral Service will be 1:30 PM, Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at FBC Leroy.  Interment will be at the New Leroy Baptist Cemetery.  Rev. Danny Chancey will be officiating with St. Stephens Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers ~ Mac Henley, Todd Corley, Brian Blankenship, Wayne Baugh, Paul Roberts, Jr., Rod Richardson 

Honorary Pallbearers ~ Paul Roberts, Sr., Gene Blount, Mac McCorquodale, Bedsole Moseley, Wayne Moseley, Brett Wildrick, Clifton Bell, Samm Miller, Pepper Roberts

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