R. Sam Yarborough, Jr. Obituary

R. Sam Yarborough, Jr. 84, died Thursday morning, February 1, 20007 at Phoebe Worth Medical Center.Viewing with the family will be at 10:00 AM Monday, February 15, 2007 at Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church with funeral service at 11:00 AM in the church sactuary. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Donald M. Kea, the Revs. Betty Lou Miller, and Nancy Scarborough will officiate.A lifetime resident of Albany, Sam was born October 6, 1922 to R. Sam Yarborough, Sr. and Rebekah Sue Webb Yarborough. He attended Flint Street School and graduated from Albany High School where he played football, basketball and ran track. He spent two years at Davidson College before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served for three and a half years. He was stationed in Okinawa when WWII ended. After discharge he attended Georgia Tech and later graduated with honors. Upon graduation he returned to Albany where he worked with Albany Concrete Company and Joe Brashears Steel Company where he retired after 28 years as Executive Vice President. Sam came out of retirement to work with the State of Georgia as the on-site engineer of state jobs in Albany, Americus and Tifton. While at Georgia Tech he married Betty Jane Garvey and together they raised four sons. He was a charter and current member of Porterfield Memorial United Methodist Church. He was the first Sunday School Superintendent and a deacon in the church. Since retirement he served as a member of the "fix-it" department helping those who have needs in the church. He was a member of the Lion's Club for fifty-six years and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as serving as President for several years. He was the President Emeritus of Mended Hearts and was very involved with Habitat for Humanity, serving on their local board. He also received the Service to Mankind award from the Sertoma Club.He is survived by sons Robert Samuel III (Colleen) of Florida, Rayburn Norbert (LaDonna) of Tennessee, Joseph Berney of Albany, Michael Webb (Diane) of Albany; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; brother Thomas Stokes (Louise) Yarborough of Albany and sister Leah Yarborough (Ridley) Monk of Sylvester and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lion's Club, Habitat for Humanity or the American Heart Association.

R. Sam Yarborough, Jr. Obituary

October 6, 1922 - February 1, 2007