Joseph "Joe" Sams

Joseph “Joe” Sams was born October 28th, 1934, to parents Lucinda Hughes and Belve Sams in Gallion, Alabama. To his friends he was known as “Butch”, and to many he was known as “Uncle Joe”. In 1955, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Shortly after moving to Cleveland, in 1956, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Lena Caldwell. From this union they had son Joesph Sams Jr. It was in 1991 that Joe was united in holy matrimony to his friend and life partner Lillie Sams. Together they raised their grandchildren Haroon and Khalilah Thomas while residing in their home in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. 

Joe was an amazing provider, working for employers such as Addressograph, Multigraph, the Regional Transit Authority of Cleveland and Orange City School District. He confessed his life to Christ at the Lake View Baptist Church and was an active member of Gethsemane Baptist Church for over 30 years. 

On the morning of July 11, 2019 after months of battling pancreatic cancer, Joe was called home to be with the Lord. He will be remembered as a strong man of God, amazing husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He and his wife Lillie, enjoyed car trips to Alabama and living life together. He loved tinkering on the computer and sitting in his favorite chair watching cowboy movies. Though sometimes soft spoken, his actions showed just how big his heart was. 

He leaves behind his loving wife Lillie Sams, brother Belve, children Joseph Sams Jr., Evon Caldwell, grandchildren Khalilah and Haroon Thomas, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

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