Sammy J. Rowell

Amory – Sammy J. Rowell, 48, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at his residence in Aberdeen, MD. Born on February 24, 1968, in Amory, he was a son of Lucy Parish Bourgeois and Lacy Rowell.

On February 24, 1968, a baby boy, Sammy J. Rowell, was placed in the loving arms of his sweet mother. The years passed by and with each day this beautiful blue-eyed boy touched many lives with his zest for life and love for his fellow man. He truly never met a stranger. Sammy could light a room with his smile and wit. He had an unwavering passion to make all seem welcome and loved. If you were blessed to have met him once or knew him his lifetime, then you met a wonderful, giving, loving, and unselfish man who had a huge heart for his family and everyone he met.

Attending both Amory and Hatley schools, Sammy became an active member of the National Guard after his senior year. His love for our country was again sealed when he registered to vote and cast his ballot for how he thought our Country could grow this year. He was proud of that fact.

Sammy had a passion for sports. It may have been in an open field with his teenage friends and cousins or under a goal at his home with his brothers and children. Loving all sports, his true passions were baseball, football and basketball. He had lightening speed and challenged many with his abilities. Later in life he grew a love of NASCAR, and none other than Dale Jr., was his prime pick. He watched a many of races while talking quite loudly to the TV. Having a memory that could surpass any sportscaster, Sammy knew who went to school where, who traded for them, who the coaches were, and all the way down to the finest detail of players’ abilities. The Dallas Cowboys caused him to talk loudly to the TV along with his love for the Ole Miss Rebels. Those 2 teams could bring out a side of him only a true sports fan can understand. His other team was the LA Dodgers, and they too got a good tongue lashing more than once from this side of the TV screen.

Sammy was blessed with the ability to be a journeyman pipefitter for 25 years. With every year and every job, his talent grew. He mentored a lot of young men to grow in their own profession alongside him. Never one to consider himself as the best, we all knew he was. Stories have been told of his talent. He coworkers always looked out for him, and with their faithful commitment to one another, he obtained a large circle of friends from coast to coast. Sammy made a big impact on everyone with whom and for he worked.

His life was blessed with 3 children. Samantha, Stephanie and Sam were his pride-and-joy. Each is different and each had a characteristic of him. If you know one of his children, then you have also met a part of Sammy. Working long, hard hours, Sammy always took great care of his family. He never questioned his ability to provide and love each one. Once home from each job, he would gather his kids and make them the center of his world. Calls and text replaced the times he was away from home, but he always made sure they knew he was proud of each and loved them dearly. A part of him will always linger in each of them.

He may be gone from our vision. We may not can hold him, call him or see him, but everyone that knew Sammy will always have the best memories. He loved mankind. He loved his family. He loved life, and with his short 48 years that God allowed us to spend with him, his love flowed thru everything that was dear to him. Rest in peace, Sammy. You are now an angel to watch over each of us. We were honored to have known and been loved by you!

He is survived by his mother, Lucy P. Bourgeois, Amory; father, Lacy Rowell, Nettleton; fiancée, Margo Morgan, Amory; daughters, Samantha Rowell (fiancé, Wade Braden), Tupelo, and Stephanie Rowell, Nettleton; son, Sam Rowell, Nettleton; step-daughter, Mary Beth Morgan, Amory; step-grandson, John Paydin Morgan; sister, Terry Rowell, Amory; brothers, Larry Rowell (Peggy), Verona, and Jody Rowell (Jennifer), Shannon; special nephews, David Raley and Troy Rowell; special niece, Aerial Rowell; several other nieces and nephews; special friend, Steve Strawbridge and numerous others.

He was preceded in death by his step-dad, Alvin J. “Al” Bourgeois; and brother, Johnny Rowell; and grandparents, Hilton and Gertrude Parish.

His Funeral Service will be at 2:30 PM, Thursday, December 15 at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with Bro. Truman Carter, Bro. Mark Hoover, Bro. Thomas Stacy, and Pastor Gertrude Browning officiating. Burial will follow in Coontail Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sam Rowell, Troy Rowell, Gerald Atkins, David Raley, Steve Strawbridge and Justin Chandler. Honorary pallbearers will be Ryan and Gerald Slaughter; Wade Braden; Brad Pender; Chris Mayberry; Fred White.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Wednesday at the Smithville Chapel of E. E. Pickle Funeral Home. His family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2:15 PM, Thursday at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.