Obituary of Charles L. Samford

Funeral services for Charles L Samford, age 97, of San Augustine will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bill Lanigan officiating.  Burial will be in San Augustine City Cemetery.   Visitation will be Friday evening, April 26, 2019, from the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel.

He was born November 11th, 1921 to Estelle and Cary Samford in the Shelbyville community and passed on April 17, 2019, in Center, Texas.  Many early friends and family knew him as "Jack", derived from how he hopped up and down his father's cotton gin and sawmill steps, thus the nickname Jack Rabbit.  During WWII he served in the 3251st Army Signal Corp Company radio intelligence achieving the rank of staff sergeant and participated in the Normandy Invasion (D-Day + 2) at Utah beach, the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge and other campaigns of WW II.  For over 20 years he and his beloved wife of over 60 years, Evelyn, owned the Western Auto store in San Augustine.  There were many Sunday's and off-hours when "Mr. Charles" would open the store for anyone with an emergency need.  He was also a skilled mechanic and enjoyed making things functional again. He served his community as a council member, mayor, and city manager.  He was affiliated with the Methodist Church and him, Lee Martin and Robert Caston dedicated hundreds of hours operating and maintaining the Flexible church bus used for many different occasions and took a special interest in the church's support of the missionary, Bruce Olson.   He was also a 65+ year member of the Redland #3 Mason Lodge.

He is survived by son David Samford of Nacogdoches, John and (wife) Sandy Samford of New Cumberland WV, grandchildren Matthew Samford of Kyle, TX and Abigail Samford of Buffalo, NY, brother Tony Samford of the Etoile community, sister Polly Chaney of Center and many nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in passing by his wife of 64 years Evelyn (Birdwell) Samford, mother and father, Mary Estelle (Walker) and Cary Samford, mother-in-law Velma (Crouch) Birdwell, father-in-law Archie Birdwell,  brothers, Cary Gene, Hylton, James Ruel.   Sisters, Audrey Jo, Auvy Nell, and Doris Belle.  

In lieu of flowers please contribute to local service organizations of your choice such as Redland Masonic Lodge #3, the Veterans organizations or the First United Methodist Church, etc.