Samuel Edward Armistead was born October 31, 1926 in Orlando, Florida to parents Saint Elmo Armistead and Doralee Banks Armistead.  He had three sisters - Maxine Woods, Connie McCroskey, and Laurah Jackson.  He was the last surviving member of his family.

His father died when Sam was very young, so he and his family returned to Texas and settled in Kirbyville, where he spent much of his childhood and early adult years.  He married Carolyn Wilson Armistead on June 17, 1950.  They had two children - James Daniel Armistead and Susan Armistead Stow.

Sam was raised during The Great Depression, and he was taught by his father the value of hard work.  He spent his life (even as a child) dedicated to earning money to help his family by selling sodas from a stand built of crates, selling magazines, milking cows, sweeping sidewalks in front of a drugstore (eventually earning promotions to purchasing for the store,) and even worked construction jobs.

He attended Sam Houston State Teachers College, Stetson University, and the University of Houston.  After leaving college, he went to work for Pure Oil Refinery, where he met his future wife, Carolyn.  He later went on to work for General Foods as a company account representative, and Englander Company where he rose to the rank of factory manager while living in Houston, and Inventory Control Manager for the corporation while briefly living in Chicago.   The majority of his career days were spent in the lighting industry in Houston.   He ended up on the Design Board and Distribution Manager for Lightolier.  After many years with Lightolier, he worked briefly for Lithonia Lighting in Crawfordsville, Indiana, ultimately retiring after 3 years and returning to his former neighborhood in Spring, Texas.

Sam was a long-time Mason - joining the Nathan Corley Masonic Lodge on his 21st birthday.  He was due to receive his 70 year service pin later this July!   He was a member of the Beaumont Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Beaumont Council RAM, and the El Mina Shrine Temple in Galveston - all for over 60 years.  He was also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters for over 55 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Wilson Armistead.  He is survived by his son, James D. Armistead and his wife Susan Holley,  his daughter, Susan A. Stow, his grandchildren, Ellen Stow Conley, Mitchell Frederick Stow, and James Hampton Stow, as well as his great grandson, Wyatt James Conley.

His stories, jokes, and friendships were legendary.   His family and friends were his life, and he will be greatly missed.  Well done, Sam.  Well done.