Samuel David Lee was born on April 15, 1965, in Akron, Ohio, to the late Reverend Clennie L. Lee and Frances Clark - Lee. Sam passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, in Sun City West, Arizona.

Blessed with a loving family, Sam and his five siblings grew up in Canton, Ohio. Throughout his childhood, he attended Belden       Elementary, Heritage Christian, and Hartford Junior High School. He graduated from Canton McKinley Senior High School in 1984. He excelled at wrestling while at McKinley and was awarded a wrestling scholarship to Malone University.

In 1990, Sam met Anna LaVette Ware who he affectionately referred to as "Love."  Sam and LaVette were married on April 13, 1991, and four children were born to this union.

Sam loved being around people and was known for telling stories and sharing his life experiences. He     enjoyed making others laugh and never hesitated to engage in conversation. Sam, an avid fisherman and skilled handyman, had a generous heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that reached out to him.

He worked for the United Parcel Service (UPS) for over 30 years and retired in April 2021. Throughout his career, he also served as an Energy Auditor and Inspector at the Association for Better Community  Development (ABCD).

Sam was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle, but most importantly he was devoted in ministry for the Lord.  For many years, he served as a Sunday School teacher at Apostolic Faith Assembly. He was actively involved with We Are Troubled On Every Side (WATOES) outreach programs and volunteered at the Monroe Community Center.  Later in life, he joined Gatherings of Christ Church (GOCC). Sam was    consistent and diligent in his faith; often he was seen studying the scriptures, listening to faith-based teachings and in fellowship with the Hebrew Israelite community.

Sam is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Clennie L. Lee and Frances Clark- Lee; brother, Clennie Lee Jr.; and sisters, Angela (Joseph) Williams and Beverly (Daryl) Ledford.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of 31 years, Anna LaVette Lee; his four children, Jordan Samuel Lee, Jessica Tierra Lee, Jerrica "Chayah Israel" Lee, and Joshua Sean Lee of Surprise, Arizona; brother, Benjamin (Francine) Lee of Columbus, OH; sister, Francine (Neil) Stevens of Canton, OH; uncles, Rev. J. S.     Mulkey of Clayton, AL, Frederick (Mary) Clark of Akron, OH; aunts, Betty Hutchinson of Chicago, IL, Dora Clark, Annethya Lee, and Beatrice Lee of Akron, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends, and church family.