George Samuel Bender

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, George Samuel (Sam) Bender of Southside, AL. He passed away peacefully at the age of 81, surrounded by family at home on September 10, 2023.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m at Collier Butler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12 noon until the hour of service. Marshall Howell will officiate. Burial will follow at Williams Southside Cemetery, Southside, AL.

Sam was born July 29, 1942 in Lowndes County, AL to the late Henry and Era Bender. He graduated from Hayneville High School. He and Margie were married September 26, 1964 in Montgomery, AL. They were looking forward to celebrating 59 years of marriage in a couple weeks. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church.

Sam transferred to Gadsden with Capitol Wholesale in 1967 where he worked until his retirement. His love for special needs children then led him to work with them at Etowah County Vocational School for six years. He was a devoted husband, father, brother and friend and lived his life helping others. He was a giver, always looking to give of himself whenever there was a need, expecting nothing in return. He will be extremely missed and remembered by all of those who knew him. To know him was to love him. Sam had a great love for the outdoors. He grew up hunting and fishing, and his favorite past times were working in his shop and skeet shooting.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Louise Genard; his chosen brother and lifelong friend, Johnny Crook.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Bender; son, Pete Bender (Kelly Ward); daughter, Julie (Tommy) Pope; granddaughters, Ashley Pope and Caroline (Lex) Cromer; sister, Henrietta DeRamus; chosen family, Karen Estes, Alan Jones and Becky Martin; a niece, several nephews, cousins and extended family.

Pallbearers will be Alan Jones, Rodney Couch, Chris Berry, Scott Millhoff, Josh Howell and Jeff Howell. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Robertson, Lamar Ingram, Ricky Edwards and Bill Thornton’s Sunday School Class.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Jay Beggs and Hope Hospice, and all of those who reached out in our time of need.