Paul Sam “Sam Paul” Sands, 80, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born March 14, 1946, in Maryville, Tennessee, to John Douglas and Pearl May Milsaps Sands. He was a United States Army Veteran, serving as a radio operator while in Germany. He was a welder for C & W Trailor’s for many years. He attended Mt Pleasant Methodist Church in Tremont. In his earlier years, he made and installed large signs for Joslin Sign Company out of Nashville. He was good at any sport he decided to take up. In his earlier years, he was a musician, playing the bass and guitar for several bands. He was an avid bowler, bowling several 300 games. He enjoyed golfing with his buddies at Fulton Country Club. He was a very good mechanic and an avid conversationalist.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Auguist 8, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. Wayne Napier officiating. Burial will be in the Old Bethany Cemetery.
Survivors include one daughter, Colleen Renee Sands of Tennessee; two sons, Richard Sands of Wisconsin and David Clifton Sands of Tennessee; one brother, Jonathan Sands of Fulton; one sister, Linda Patricia “Pat” Summerford (Marvis) of Tremont; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Emily Diane Chamblee; one brother, Douglas Sands; one sister, Ethel Margaret Sands; and his parents.
Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
