Sammy L. Campbell age 81, a lifelong resident of Abingdon, VA, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at his residence.
Sammy was born on January 31, 1937 in Abingdon, Virginia, the son of the late Samuel W. and Eugenia Sevier Kreger Campbell. He attended Central School and graduated from William King High School in 1955 where he was named “Best Dressed”. Sammy attended Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University. He was a 1957 graduate from Cincinnati School of Embalming, now known as Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, and a 1964 graduate of the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management. Sammy has been a funeral service licensee since 1957, being licensed in both Virginia and Tennessee, and was the owner/manager of Campbell Funeral Home in Abingdon until his retirement in 2005. He was a member and former deacon of Abingdon Baptist Church. Sammy will be remembered for his many involvements in the Abingdon community including the development and organizing of the Annual Abingdon Community Christmas Parade, which grew into one of the largest and most successful Christmas parades in Virginia. He was a dedicated volunteer worker of the Washington County Fair & Burley Festival where he assisted with the festival parade while serving as the Publicity and Entertainment Chairperson for many years. He was a former member and past president of the Abingdon Jaycee’s and the only person in Washington County to ever be awarded the “Distinguished Service Award” twice. He served as President of the Washington County, VA Chamber of Commerce in 1979 and was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Abingdon for over 50 years, having 32 years of perfect attendance. While a member, he served as past President and past Secretary as well as a former member of the Board of Directors. Sammy received numerous outstanding and distinguished service awards as well as the the Hixson Fellowship Award, the highest honor of the Kiwanis Club International. He was instrumental in the replacement construction and promotion of the current entrance signs to the Town of Abingdon and the large sign with the civic organization seals of civic clubs which is located downtown Abingdon on Main Street. Sammy was honored by the Town of Abingdon for his many years of dedicated service and contributions to the community and presented the keys to the town as they declared September 19, 2009 Sammy Campbell Day in Abingdon, VA. Sammy had a big heart and did many acts of kindness behind the scenes, and all who knew him knew that Sammy loved to laugh and tell a “good” joke.
Sammy is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Lois Leonard Campbell of Abingdon, VA; his beloved daughters, Sabrina Renee Gabriel and husband, William T. Gabriel of Livonia, Michigan and Miss Lisa Ann Reedy of Durham, NC; his son Chris Allen Reedy and husband C.J. Kolb of Guerneville, CA his beloved grandchildren, Jackson Campbell Gabriel and Anna Lee Gabriel; his sister-in-law Jean Kestner of Johnson City, TN; three cousins, Jimmy Mitchell and wife Kathy of Radford, VA, Mrs. Nancy Hines of Jonesville, VA and Mrs. Mary Joe Hammonds and husband Ray of Lancaster, KY.
A very special thank you to Dave and Tammie Lowe, Ashley Hostetter, Jessica Williams and James Seagroves for their love, compassion care and support.
A funeral service for Sammy L. Campbell will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the Abingdon Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Pollard and Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating. Sammy will be laid to rest privately. Music will be provided by Edward B. Eller and Rose Payne along with soloist Parke Dean.
Pallbearers will be John W. Crigger, Sheriff Fred Newman, Cy Williams, Brett Combs, Ray Minor, Danny Gentry, Terry H. Gillenwater and Jamie Dick.
Honorary pallbearers will be Phyllis Greiner, Leo Sauve, Charles & Irene Meade, Bill Hagy, Robert & Nell Johnson, Richard C. McQueen, members of the Washington County Life Saving Crew, Virginia Funeral Directors Association, Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the former employees of Campbell Funeral Home, Inc.
The family will receive friends at the Abingdon Baptist Church one hour prior to the service.
Sammy asks that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to the Washington County Fair- Outdoor Stage Fund, P.O. Box 711, Abingdon, VA 24212.
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