Samuel Dea "Sam" Walker, Sr.

Mr. Samuel Dea “Sam” Walker, Sr., 69, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2022, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.

Born in Waycross, GA on September 26, 1953, he had lived in Pierce County all his life. Sam was a 1971 graduate of Blackshear High School and went on to serve in the National Guard for six years.  He retired from CSX Transportation after 41 years where he had been a pipefitter. He had also been a farmer all his life.  Sam never met a stranger and loved to talk to everyone.  He enjoyed riding his bicycle, going to concerts, and dancing, and being with his family. He always looked forward to going to his grandchildren’s sporting events especially their basketball games. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Sam was a member of the Blackshear First United Methodist Church where he was in the Bridge Sunday School Class.

He was a son of the late David Hugh & Sarah Verdell Winn Walker, Sr.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, David Hugh Walker, Jr.; and his father-in-law, Robert Buie, Sr.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Gail Buie Walker of Blackshear; four daughters and sons-in-law, Lealane & Brian Sanders of Blackshear, Hannah & Kelly Murray of Blackshear, Cassie & Nick Berkemeier of Canton, and Quincy & Chase Burgess of Blackshear; his son, Samuel Dea “Sam” Walker, Jr. of Waycross; his sister, Connie (Mike) Quarnaccio of Wyoming, DE; his mother-in-law, Quen Buie of Blackshear; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Dowling of Blackshear; his brother-in-law, Bobby (Kay) Buie of Waycross; 9 grandchildren, Ava Murray, Olivia Sanders, Claire Murray, Owen Sanders, Julianna Murray, James Berkemeier, John Daniel Berkemeier, Maren Burgess, and Quill Burgess; nieces and nephews, Thomas Dowling, Jessica (Chris) Clark, Hunter Buie, Bailey (Blake) James, Pam (Matt) Cook, David (Leslie) Quarnaccio, and Franklin Boyett; several other relatives and too many friends to try to count.

Funeral services for Sam will be held Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2022, at 2:00 o’clock from the First United Methodist Church in Blackshear with Rev. Edmund Thrift and Rev. Mary Ann Braswell officiating.  Mrs. Quincy Burgess will also be speaking on behalf of the family.

A private interment will be held in the Patterson Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Saturday evening from 5-7 at the funeral home.

Active pallbearers will be Sam Walker, Jr., Owen Sanders, Brian Sanders, Kelly Murray, Nick Berkemeier, and Chase Burgess.

Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Turner, Leon Cochran, P.T. Kinnon, Gary Dixon, Paul Walker, and Wayne Morgan.  Please meet at the church by 1:30 Sunday afternoon.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 127, Blackshear, GA  31516.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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