Samuel Herbert “Big Sam” Kitchens, resident of Decatur, born December 5, 1943, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at Decatur Morgan Hospital surrounded by his family. Visitation will be Sunday, November 6, 1:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home, with service at 2:00 p.m. Graveside to follow immediately after at Bald Knob Cemetery. Service will be conducted by Mike Moats.
Big Sam was preceded in death by his father, James Madison Kitchens; his mother, Elsie Lowery Kitchens; his sister, Nettie Ruth Kitchens Rouse; his son, Samuel Herbert Kitchens, II; and his grandson, Samuel Joseph “Joey” Kitchens. He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Woods, Ann Marie Gatlin, and Susie Powers; his son, Ronnie Guyse; his grandchildren, Heather Newberry, Chris Kitchens, Dustin Gatlin, Ashley Gatlin, Olivia Mathis, Noah Kitchens, and Skylar Kitchens; and eight great-grandchildren.
Big Sam owned and operated “Big Sam’s” convenience store for 22 years, and retired as a pipefitter/welder from Fruehauf. He is known as “Big Sam,” “Daddy,” “Papaw,” and, by his fellow masonic brothers, “Brother Sam.”
The family asks that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the American Heart Association in Big Sam’s name.
