Samuel Lee was born in Newport News, Virginia on October 23, 1938, to Helena Virginia Quivers and Elisha Lee. He passed away on May 15, 2024, surrounded by his wife and daughters. He was a cherished brother, uncle, and cousin to many. He was the younger brother of Teddy, Margaret, Elisha Jr. (Junie), and Daniel, and the older brother of Marjorie, Emmanuel (Pee-Wee), Joanne, and Francis.

Samuel graduated from Huntington High School in 1957. From a young age, Samuel was a diligent worker, working on a farm, as a delivery boy, and later as a truck driver for Pepsi Cola. He served in the Army as a medic for two years. He worked for the Newport News Shipyard, starting as an apprentice, then becoming a pipe fitter, supervisor, and finally an instructor. Throughout his career, he remained steadfast in observing the Sabbath and always strived to excel in his work.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel Jackson Lee, whom he met in church in 1960. They tied the knot on December 27, 1964, and were blessed with two daughters, Joy and Tammy. Known as "Honey" to his wife, he was her best friend and partner for 59 years. To his daughters, he was known for his humor, quick wit, generosity, and protective nature. His nieces and nephews affectionately referred to him as "Uncle Sam" and will always remember his kind-heartedness. He loved Carrington and Lauryn Black as his very own grandchildren. He had numerous "adopted" children from the church and community.

Samuel (Bro. Lee) was member of Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church for more than sixty years. He served the Lord faithfully as a deacon, Adventist Youth Leader, member of the treasury board, early Pathfinder leader and basketball coach. He and his wife welcomed many visitors to the church inviting them home for Sabbath dinners. He offered rides to church to students from Hampton University and those connections were meaningful and long lasting.

To know Sam is to know that he had many interests. Early in life he wanted to be an actor and singer and even tried to make it in New York City. He sang in the church choirs, as a soloist and with The Calvary Four Quartet.

Sam loved working in his yard and having a well-manicured corner in the neighborhood. He was proud of vegetables grown in his garden. He enjoyed hosting neighborhood cookouts, playing horseshoes, croquet and volleyball. He opened his basketball court to the neighborhood children for play after school. He loved to entertain children, pretending to make a coin appear or make them look for a barking dog. He enjoyed game nights playing Sorry, Uno, Phase 10 and Scrabble with friends. He was also known for falling asleep on the sofa. For years he was the most loyal football fan for the team now known as the Commanders. He enjoyed martial arts and loved watching boxing.

Sam, Sam Lee, Uncle Sam, Brother Lee, Mr. Lee, Honey, My Denzel, and Dad will be remembered as a good guy, loving husband, great father, kind uncle, and loyal friend.

Viewing will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 24, 2024 at Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1700-17th Street, Newport News, Va. Entombment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.