Grandville Faye (Sam) Mize – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
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F.1.10.19 Grandville Mize.JPEG Grandville Faye (Sam) Mize, 83, of Muscle Shoals passed away Sunday January 6, 2019. Visitation will be Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 5-7pm at Colbert Memorial Chapel. Service will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 at 1pm in the chapel. Brother Charlie James will be officiating along with Pastor Clyde Mize. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens. He was a member of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents Orbert S. and Mada LaVerne Mize; wife Joyce Marie Scott Mize; grandson in-law Bert Young; sisters Joan Mize and Dorothy Sue Attkinson.

He is survived by his sons, Col (Ret) Tommy Mize (Ki ill), and Sammy Mize (Heather); daughter, Angie Alcala (Sammy); sister Diane Burcham (Leon); brother, Randall Mize (Sylvia); grandchildren, Amber Young, Shawn Mize, Melynie Chavez (Jesus), Marie Mize, Scotty Mize (Jen), Sydney Kennedy (Ryan), Zack Mize (Savanna), Sumi Mize and Ellie Mize; great grandchildren, Izac Chavez, Danaka Chavez, Caleb Young, Devyn Chavez, Jaxson Young, Owen Dach, Dexter Mize, Tyson Mize, Bella Young, Lilly Kennedy and baby Kennedy coming later this year. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins who he was extremely close to. And lastly, his companion and best friend of 13 years Bo, his toy poodle.

Sam married his one and only love of his life, Joyce Marie Scott, on March 3, 1958. They spent forty-six (46) wonderful years together before her passing in 2004. Their love was like none other. It remains an inspiration to their children and grandchildren to this day. During their marriage and his time in the US Army they lived in the Panama Canal Zone; Fort Ruckers, Al; Fort Wolters, TX; Ft. Wainwright, AK and Ft. Benning, Ga before retiring back to Muscle Shoals, Al.

“Dad was born January 5, 1936 in Quincy Mississippi. After completing his studies at Coffee High School, he joined the US Army on August 11, 1953 and began a twenty-one year career as a soldier. He was a true American patriot. He honored his country in all he did. He retired after a decorated career on March 1, 1974. In the same year, he began working for the US Postal service in Sheffield and later Muscle Shoals where he retired in 1996 after twenty-two years. He was an avid Bass fisherman and later toured on the Bass Pro tour in what he called his third career under different national sponsors.”

He was an Army Aviator who experienced heavy combat during his two tours in Vietnam (1966-1967 and 1969-1970) earning many awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal 26-30th Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device & Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (4 Awards), National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, 4 Overseas Service Bars, The Senior Army Aviator Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge.

“Dad was known by all as one who loved hard; cared deeply; was true to his word; was a voice of reason; always remained calm; someone with an ear to anyone who needed a friend; formed life-long relationships; and could be trusted. He was respected, admired and loved by all. He loved to watch the Braves; FOX News, discussing politics Alabama Football and was a great story teller. Nothing in life was more important to him than his family. He rarely missed a Muscle Shoals sporting event while Zack was participating or anything that Sydney was involved in. He traveled to Texas for Amber and Melynie’s important life events. He visited Shawn, Marie and Scotty as often as he could as Tommy traveled the Country serving in the US Army. He was very proud when he recently witnessed Marie graduate from Harvard University. He thoroughly enjoyed watching every moment of Ellie’s young life and all she has accomplished at such a young age. He was very proud of his children and his grandchildren and considered them his greatest accomplishments. He taught his children the importance of family, hard work, being independent and being of the utmost integrity at all times. There are simply no words to describe how we will miss our Dad and Papaw. ”

Pallbearers will be Shawn Mize, Scotty Mize, Zack Mize, Ryan Kennedy, Jesus Chavez and Don Miller. Caleb Young will serve as an honorary pallbearer representing Bert Young.

In lieu of flowers, please give to the American Cancer Society. Colbert

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