Samuel Francis Belnavis Sr.

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength, labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away…So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom…O, satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:10, 12 and 14

Before he was formed in his mother’s womb, God knew Sam and his life was predestined. His death is but a transition to acceptance of the Lord’s promise, that he would go away and prepare a place for His believers and faithful servants. Sam didn’t know the day nor hour that the Son of man would return and claim him unto His promise of a reward of eternal life. In the meantime, he dedicated his gift of life to devoutly serving family, friends and to being respected, admired and a beloved professional, in all that he endeavored to do.

God set forth His plan for Sam in his birth to Ashton and Fannie(Modest) Belnavis on August 8, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York. Through God’s anointing of grace, mercy, gifts and talents, Sam set out at an early age to fulfill God’s gift of life and his dedication to unselfish service to all humanity.

It could perhaps be said that Sam always had a need for speed. As a track star, he broke numerous records at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and was in the US Air Force Junior ROTC. Combined with athletic skill and academic standing, proven with an earned scholarship, he excelled and graduated from Manhattan College in New York. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

Sam’s mission in life got its greatest boost when he found and married the love of his life, Christine. She became his helpmate while living out her own life’s dedication to serving others, maintaining the respected role of wife, mother and servant leader. Christine, or his preferred “Chrissy”, faithfully, gladly and proudly supported him in every phase of their union. And as a team, they raised their four children and became doting grandparents.

Grief from the physical loss of Sam’s earthly presence, is felt all across the country by countless individuals, corporate entities and those in the marketing and public relations community he served.

In addition to being a pioneer in various areas, he blazed the trail for others to follow. And those who followed, while mainly African-Americans and other persons of color who experienced gender, cultural and socio-economic discriminations, Sam broke down barriers and injustices.

Sam found the way to meet his deepest passion and need for speed with his establishment of BelCar Racing. Belnavis led this organization and fielded NASCAR’s first African American owned Cup Series team, featuring driver Todd Bodine in the #54 car, sponsored by the National Guard. Sam subsequently shifted BelCar Racing to unite with Roush Fenway Racing, featuring Greg Biffle in the #16 car, also sponsored by the National Guard. Sam’s NASCAR presence opened many previously-closed doors for minority and women’s participation in the sport at various levels.

Brandon Thompson, the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR, recalls meeting Sam around 2005 as a 21-year-old black kid aspiring to NASCAR stardom. Brandon says that “Sam impressed me as being the “Black Godfather of NASCAR,”” a fitting moniker for his business acumen and also for the respect he commanded as a result of his character. Brandon continues saying, “Mr. Belnavis was always gracious with his time and space. His annual Christmas and Super Bowl parties connected younger black racing industry employees with folks in his overall business network in and out of NASCAR”.

Early impacts came from roles he played, such as being the first African-American in top executive management with Sears; pioneering the development of the Sports Marketing Department for Miller Brewing Company; foray into stock car racing as Vice-President of Marketing for DiGard Racing, that featured black driver and history maker Willie T. Ribbs; and the establishment of his own nationally recognized marketing company Belnavis and Associates. This list goes on and on, due to his fervent leadership. He found a special niche in servant leadership with the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, his membership with fraternity Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., and above all, his church.

Sam was predeceased ten months ago by his devoted and cherished wife of sixty years, by whose side he stood steadfastly during her lengthy illness while his own personal health challenges arose. He was also pre-deceased twenty-three years ago by his son, Sam Jr., “Junie”.

Family left to cherish his memory, are his daughters, Michelle Belnavis, Stacey Dobbins (Raymond) and Cherise Belnavis, along with two brothers and two sisters: Sandra Lowe, Ronnie Lowe, Stephen (Ruth) Belnavis and Yvette Belnavis and a host of nieces and nephews. “Bobbie” was also the loving grandfather to eight grandchildren: Kevin Hughes, Darian Mims-Belnavis, Israel “Izzy” Belnavis, Ashton Dobbins, Adrienne Dobbins, Allison Dobbins, Amber Dobbins and Camden Johnson.

Funeral service for Sam will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at McEwen Funeral Service Chapel located at 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC, 28212. Visitation will be from 12:30pm until 1:30pm, at which time the Celebration of Life will commence. His interment will immediately follow at the Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery.

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Samuel Francis Belnavis Sr. Celebration of Life

July 28, 2021, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EST

Join Zoom meeting: 850 1740 9678

Meeting password: 744367