This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: TAYLOR, HOWARD, RHEA, KNIGHT, MARSHALL, COLVIN, HAMPTON Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/23025/mb.ashx Message Board Post: TAYLOR, Mr. Sammie Howard Of Kalamazoo, MI Age 63 Was called to Eternal Life from home Thursday June 26, 2008. He was born May 14, 1945 in Paducah Kentucky, the son of Sammie E. Taylor and Frankie M. Howard-Rhea. He moved to Kalamazoo Michigan in 1956 where he later met and married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat). Sammie was the proud father of Brian Keith and Kevin Lamar. With the union of his beautiful wife Patricia, they proudly shared his one and only daughter, Dawn Marie (Douglas Leonard Essix, Sr.), and four sons, Sean Rhea and Christopher Edward, Michael Aaron and Andre Phillip. Sammie attended and graduated from the Kalamazoo Public School system and received other special vocational training to succeed in his field of endeavor. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army after serving in Germany. He was employed as a Quality Control Engineer for Checker Motors for over 30 years where his skills were highly recognized. A dedicated and faithful Christian, Sammie was an active member of Bethel Star Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Baker. Some of the positions held by Sammie were Deacon, Chairman of Trustee Board, Sunday School Teacher and Praise Team Leader. He was greatly admired and respected by Pastor(s) and congregation(s) members. Sammie was always studying and sharing God's Word. He was a man of great faith. He lived and breathed the scriptures he believed in. Sammie was greatly respected for his leadership abilities, motivational skills and supportive nature. He found the good in all he met and was always a gracious host. His family was the most important part of his life. A great father and husband, Sammie was full of love of family and spent all his time making his family and friends happy. He was always the family photographer. He especially loved his Mother who raised him to become the great man he was. She stood beside him through the illness of both he and his wife. Mother Rhea has been a nurse, friend, confidant, caregiver and never ending nurturer of faith. She has prayed with him, sang to him, read the word with and to him, encouraged him and saw him through the good times and the challenges of life until his last breath. She has gone over and above the duty of a mother in every way. She has shown love and compassion in every way possible as only a mother could. A special tribute goes to a friend and brother, Elder Michael Holland, who comforted, cared and prayed for him, stood by his side until the Lord called him home. Sammie was preceded in death by his wife Pat, two sons, Sean Rhea and Christopher Edward; and two brothers, Willie T. Taylor and Fred Taylor. He leaves to mourn his mother, Frankie Rhea; father, Sammie E. Taylor (Dorothy); daughter, Dawn Marie (Douglas Leonard Essix, Sr.), four sons, Brian Keith of Seattle, WA, Kevin Lamar (Annie), of Indianapolis, IN, Michael Aaron and Andre Phillip of Kalamazoo MI; four sisters, Vanessa Knight (Bennie) and Denise Marshall of Paducah KY, Gloria Jean Colvin of IN, Karen Hampton, of Holland MI; five brothers, Jonathan Rhea of Houston TX, David Taylor and Mark Taylor (Jaimie) of Paducah KY, Charles Rhea and Terrance Rhea of Kalamazoo MI; ten grandchildren; special sister-in-law, Fern Taylor and numerous sisters and brothers-in law; special Mothers and friends will cherish and miss him dearly; Pastor and Mrs. Samuel Baker, Pastor and Mrs. Hermon Phillips, Supt. and Mrs. C. G. Charles and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, church family and friends will always remember his great presence. Services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, with a 12 Noon Family Hour at Tabernacle Church of God In Christ, Elder Hermon Phillips, officiating. Friends may view 4-7 PM Tuesday at the Harper Funeral Home, 521 Douglas Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 342-1000. Interment Riverside Cemetery. You may send words of comfort to the family at: www.harperfuneralhomeinc.com Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 6/29/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. PRIVACY STATEMENT http://www.thegenerationsnetwork.com/default.aspx?html=pp We do not sell, rent or otherwise distribute the personal information you provide us to third party advertisers. 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