Samuel Lee Shockley, hardworking man of faith
Samuel Lee Shockley, 91, of Milford was born Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1929, to Lester Reginald Shockley and Mabel Novella Johnson Shockley, in Snow Hill, Md. He attended school at Hutt’s Chapel and Mt. Wesley School in Snow Hill and Milford Neck in Milford. Samuel served in the U.S. Army from Feb. 24, 1954, to Feb. 24, 1956, honorably-discharged after two years and two days of dedicated service for God and his country. He served during the Korean Conflict and World War II.
Samuel’s employment began at the early age of 12, due to his father’s death. He was first employed on Russell Carey’s Farm in Milton, Lewes Poultry, Fort Miles in Lewes, Warehouse Supply Master and Frankford Arsenal in Frankford, Pa., Quarter Master Depo in Philadelphia, Pa., Federal Aviation in Wilmington, the Veterans Administration in Elsmere, where he worked in the Linen Supply & Control Department, and Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pa.
He then transferred to the Dover Air Force Base, civil service, supply supervisor, retiring in December after 37-plus of service. In 1995, Sam was employed by Confidential Services as a security guard, then Bennett Security, until December 2004. Sam became the head of his household and as the oldest of five children, he provided well for his brothers and sisters, as well as his mother. He ate not of the bread of idleness. He was mentor and role model for all those he met. No one was a stranger. He always wore a smile and spent his free time cooking and sharing food with others.
His hobbies included cooking, gardening, traveling, reading the newspaper, sleeping and helping others. In 1956, he joined the Millsboro Seventh Day Adventist Church, under the leadership of Elder Nelson Bliss. He worked tirelessly to bring others to Christ. He served in many positions within the church as investment leader, Pathfinder director, A.Y. leader, Community Services, Adventist Men leader, Stewardship leader, elder, deacon and Sabbath School teacher. He worked with the church building committee during Pastor Rudyard Lord’s Tenure.
He spent many hours in advancing the cause of the Hispanic movement in Millsboro in 1986 to the present. Sam’s favorite song was In the Sweet By & By, favorite Scripture: John 3:16. His goal in life was to provide for his family and leading others to Christ.
Samuel married Joyce Streett July 26, 1987, adopting her children: sons, Micheal T. Wright and Dallas T. Wright. After the death of his sister, Martha, he resumed the care of his mother and provided the best of care for her until her passing in 2004. After the sudden passing of his sister, Myrtle, he became a surrogate parent to Edward and Phillip Lee. Upon the death of his brother, James, he assumed the parental role of a father to Allen and Alma Lee Gibbs.
Samuel was preceded in death by brothers, Willy (eight days after birth) and James, who passed in 2003;and sisters, Martha in 2000 and Myrtle in 1998.
In addition to his loving wife, Joyce, Sam leaves to cherish his memory, his son Micheal T. Wright; grandchildren, Austin, Kaelan, Deja, Aliyah, Cheyenne, E.J., Kelsey and P.J. Morgan; one goddaughter, Destinee Sunja Brook Norwood; two daughters-in-law, Shelaine Wright and Kandi Wright (Melissa and Kathy); brothers-in-law, Tony, Vernon, Melvin, Harvey, Ralph and Jerry; sisters-in-law, Shirley, Merian, Carolyn and Patricia; and numerous cousins and relatives in Snow Hill and Baltimore, Md., and New Jersey.
Celebration of life service will be held Friday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m., at St. John 2nd Baptist Church, 26602 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to service.
To offer words of comfort and sign the guest book visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional service entrusted by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
