Mr. Sammie Davis Abrams

The Life And Legacy... “A Time to Be Born” (Ecclesiastes 3:2) Sammie Davis Abrams was born on March 11, 1935 to the late Hattie and Byron Abrams Sr. in Hugo, Alabama. He was the seventh of ten children. Sam was raised to be strong, reliable, and a man in every sense. As a young man, he worshiped at Mt. Hebron Primitive Baptist Church and came to know the Lord as his Savior. “A Time to be Trained” (Proverbs 22:6) Sam spent his formative years in Thomaston, Alabama where the seeds of dedication, commitment, and excellence were planted. He received his early education at the Morengo County Training School in Thomaston Alabama, military training from the United States Army, and extensive training to become a Certified Operating Engineer through Local Union 334. “A Time to Labor” (Genesis 3:17-19) As a child, along with his parents and siblings, Sam worked on “The Abrams Family Farm” raising livestock, produce, and growing cotton. To provide even greater support and resources for his parents and siblings, he decided to enter the United States Army serving a tour of duty as a private stationed in Korea immediately following the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. Following his military service, Sam joined the Detroit Board of Education as a custodian. Through hard work and dedication, he received his first-class steam & refrigeration license which officially opened the doors to the world of engineering. As an engineer with the Detroit Board of Education, he received several promotions and was assigned to various elementary and high schools within the school district. These assignments allowed him to grow, meet new people, and take on more responsibility. Sam took a “short retirement” from the Detroit Board of Education in June of 1986 only to return to work for the City of Detroit in September of 1986 as a Stationary Steam Engineer at Herman Keifer Hospital. He retired for the second time in 2012. At the time of his final retirement he had nearly fifty-eight years of experience in boiler room operations. Over the course of his life, Sam was a jack of all trades and a master of many. He was a licensed electrician who used his skills to help and serve others. He also purchased real estate and operated a modest landscape company employing many young men, women and adults. “A Time to Be Loved” (2 Samuel 1:23) Sam loved God, life, his family, people, and work! He was an extraordinary man whose compassion, kindness, and love was immediately felt by many. He was united in holy matrimony to Vernola Andrews and from this union a son, Samuel Davas was born. With his lively smile and witty sense of humor he could always brighten your day. A philanthropist in his own right, Sam supported many individuals, organizations, and causes touching the lives of countless people both locally and abroad. Unselfish by design, he gave his time and energy serving others. Sam forged a relationship with many people, however he cultivated a very special loving friendship with three devoted men, Ben Toddle, Jack Hildreth, and James Bynum, all of whom preceded him in death. “A Time to Die…A Time of Peace” (Psalm 89:48) Sam was called home on December 7, 2017, in his home in Detroit both peaceful and painless in the company of his son Samuel.

Mr. Sammie Davis Abrams

March 11, 1935 - December 7, 2017