James R Sampley

A Funeral service will be held at Ashville First Baptist Church on Monday, December 30,2024, at 1pm. A Graveside service will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Stewart Cemetery, McCurdy Drive East, Ft. Payne, AL,(everyone is welcome to attend). Nathan Daniels, and Dr. R. Pat McFadden to officiate

James graduated from Ft. Payne High School in 1965, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969. He served as Pastor of James Memorial Baptist Church from April 1981 to May 1987; Jefferson Street Baptist Church from May 1987 to May 1993; Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church from June 1993 to May 1996; First Baptist Church of Ashville from May 1996 to December 2013; and served as part time minister for Sr. Adults Missions at Crosspoint Church Argo, AL, from 2014 to 2018. James compassionately served in community and state organizations, and missions in Guatemala.

James had many academic accomplishments such as an Associate of Arts Degree, from Northeast State Junior College; A Bachelor of Arts Degree from Sanford University; a Master of Divinity Degree, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry Degree, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

James was an avid outdoorsman, which he shared with family and some of his closest friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents, James Oliver Sampley and Mamie Minerva Dean Sampley.

James is survived by his spouse, Judy Whitmire Sampley; son, Ross Dean Sampley; daughter, Robyn Sampley (Everett) Meade; grandson, Cameron Ross Sampley; granddaughter, Breanna (Bree) Dawn Rooks; a host of chosen brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews; and cousins, Ella Lindsey, Carol Dobbins (Tommy), Glenda Robinson (Robbie) and Reggie Watts (Judy).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund at Ashville First Baptist Church, PO box 579 (85 5TH Ave) Ashville, AL 35953.

Special thanks to the many who prayed for James throughout his life and ministry, but especially these last months of his life here on earth. We celebrate and are grateful and blessed to have had the touch of this man in our lives.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31