On February 21, 1940, the world was blessed when Sam Middleton was born, the third child of ten children to the late Simon "Buddy" and Elouise "Stay" Middleton. On August 21, 2017, Sam passed away with the love of his life by his side. He is absent from the body, but present with the Lord.

Sam received his childhood education in the Berkeley County School System. He later migrated to Miami, Florida where he met the love of his life, Bertha Mae Lambright. On April 27, 1962, they were united in holy matrimony. To this union, they were blessed with six children and their commitment to one another lasted more than 55 years.

Sam believed in hitting the pavement, not only for his career as an Independent Life Insurance Agent, but also for the work of the Lord. After his career with Independent Life, his dream was entrepreneurship. He established Sam's Hauling Inc., where no job was too big or too small.

While in South Florida, Sam joined Glendale Baptist Church where he was an active member committed to several ministries for more than 30 years. He was an ordained Deacon, Royal Ambassador Director, Brotherhood Director, Sunday School Teacher, Training Union Director, Outreach Leader, Bus Driver and a team member of the church's bowling league. He was also the church's dedicated Senior Mechanic. In this capacity, he serviced a fleet of buses for the church at no charge. This ministry led him to be called "MacGyver". His mechanical skills were legendary. He could take a motor from a lawn mower, install it on a church bus, and make it run.

After working the concrete jungle of South Florida, in 2005, Sam and Bertha retired to the green flowing fields of St. Stephen, SC. His love for serving allowed him to rejoin Good Shepherd Reformed Episcopal Church where he actively served as the Assistant Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Senior Choir President, Representative of the Men of the Church, Vestry Board Member, Male Choir Member and Church Van Driver.

He was preceded in death by his lovely daughter, Dr. Philasteen Middleton and three brothers, Ernest, Leroy and Fred Middleton.

Left to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy are: his devoted wife, Bertha; children, Zeannie (Amos) Lewis, Priscilla (Michael) Fauntleroy, Sanherci (Cerese) Middleton, Monica Middleton and B. Sam (Catrice) Middleton; one adopted son, Araton Summerson; special godson, Raynard Weathers; fourteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one brother, St. Julian (Rosalee) Middleton; five sisters, Alberta (Chris) Henry, Mae (Calvin) Nicholason, Rosa (Jay) Jenkins, Lillian (Charles) Kelly and Annie Middleton; numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, special friends; members of Glendale Baptist Church (Miami, FL) and Good Shepherd R.E. Church (Bonneau, SC).

A song he always sang and taught his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was " I got a shoe, you got a shoe, all God's children got shoes…". Sam finally got to Heaven, he put on his shoes and he is walking all over God's Heaven.