Reflections of Joy
Ahmad Rashad Samuel blessed this world for the first time on April 23, 1977. He is the beloved son of Mrs. Gloria Samuel Pendergrass and Emmanuel Peterson. He transitioned to glory on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the age of 39.
Mr. Samuel was born in Florence County. He graduated from Timmonsville High School in the year of 1997. He further continued his education by successfully completing both the Technological Welding and Master Electrician programs at the highly accredited Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter SC Campus. He worked for many years as a welder and technical trainer at Sumter Metal and Interlake in Sumter, SC. Ahmad was excellent in the arts. He was well known for his free hand drawing and painting capabilities, where he served as co-illustrator for the family's entrepreneur/brainstorming committee. Furthermore, he was immediately accepted to the Atlanta Institute for the Arts but declined the offer. He was an innate inventor, explorer, and creator. One invention in particular progressed to the final stages of review within a major corporation. Such progression is extremely competitive and thus worthy of commendation. Shortly thereafter Ahmad began to battle intensely in the fight against sickle cell anemia.
Let to rejoice in his memory are his mother Gloria Samuel Pendergrass, Father Emmanuel Peterson, Step Father Steve Pendergrass, and Step Mother Pamela Peterson. Ahmad was an excellent father and his heart and prized was his only child Mr. Ahmari Ke'Shan Samuel. We specially recognize his 15 year old brother Steven Pendergrass whose bonds were indestructible and hearts truly intertwined. His sisters Brandie Williams (SC; Mr. Marcus Williams), Dr. Joy Obidike (SC), and Emerial Libby (California) will miss him as well as his brothers Cormetrius Samuel (SC), Camaron Samuel (SC), Willie Rainey (SC), Shaunte Durant (SC), and step brothers Phillip and Le'Andre Kelly (SC). His aunts to rejoice: Jackie K. Bennett (SC), Marilyn Fulwood (SC), Peggy Lee (GA; Ricky Lee), Great aunts Janice Samuel (SC), Elizabeth Samuel (SC), Margaret Samuel (Connecticut), Esther Peters (Virginia) as well as uncles Reggie Fulwood (SC), Chucky Fulwood (VA), Lucky Fulwood (SC; Stacey Fulwood) Great uncles Perry Samuel (SC; Jackie Samuel) TJ Samuel (New York) and a great host of many cousins, family and friends. Ahmad "Shad" will forever be a huge part of us.
Mr. Samuel will be placed in the church on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 12 noon for viewing until the hour of service,
Funeral Service will be held ON Wednesday, January 18 at 1pm at New Zion Baptist Church, 2826 Cale Yarborough Hwy, Timmonsville, SC with Pastor Rev. I.J. Myers, Officiating and Pastor Dion Price, Eulogist.
Interment will follow in New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.