Samuel Houston Wilkins

Samuel Houston Wilkins passed away in his sleep at his home on Friday December 16, 2011. Visitation will be held Monday December 19, from 10:00 a.m. to - 12:00 noon at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland, followed by a memorial service in the Chapel.

Sam was born in Stonewall, Mississippi, on October 18, 1937 to Samuel Lee and Agnes Wilkins. He attended Stonewall High School and Jones Junior College. Sam graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He graduated from Ole Miss School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1966..

While in college, Sam and his friends would travel each summer to the Pocono Mountains to act as counselors at Camp Karamac. It was during one of these summers that he met and fell in love with his wife, Lee Graziadei, to whom he was married for 49 years.

As a young man growing up in Clarke County, Sam dreamed of being a professional musician. He fondly related the story of meeting a rising young star at a concert in the late 1950's. This young man was later known to the world as “the King,” Elvis Presley. Sam continued playing his guitar throughout college and was known by friends as “Singing Sam.”

Sam proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma City and the U.S.S. Atlanta during the Vietnam War. He recently reunited with several of his old shipmates from the Navy at their reunion in New Orleans.

Sam was a trial lawyer and a colorful figure in Mississippi legal circles for over 45 years. He handled numerous high-profile cases during the course of his career. He loved the courtroom and specialized in criminal law. Sam dedicated his life to defending the accused, helping many people when they were at their lowest. Sam always acted with grace and compassion, and was considered a friend by clients, adversaries, law enforcement, and judges alike. He was a member of the Mississippi Bar and was honored by being inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1981.

Sam is survived by his loving wife, Lee; his three devoted children, Samuel H. Wilkins, Jr., Paige Wilkins (Tim Moore), Rocky Wilkins (Heather); and five grandchildren, Samuel Lee Wilkins, Taylor Houston Wilkins, Houston Wade Wilkins, Maddox Dylan Moore, and Conner McAllister Moore; his mother Agnes, and sister Carolyn.

Sam devoted his life to helping others, and he will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, Mississippi 39216.

Honorary Pallbearers are Conner McAllister, Bobby Sneed, Weaver Gore, Tommy Mayfield, Jim Sims, Garland Lyell, and Willard Wilson.