Samuel McPherson

Samuel Ray McPherson was born on August 4, 1933, to the union of Samuel Talmadge McPherson and Ada Louella Sandlin in Birmingham, Alabama. Ray, as his family called him. Received his formal education at Howard College (Samford University). He received a MS Degree in History from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as a MS degree in Education from the University of Alabama. Ray served in the US Army as a Sergeant and tank commander in Germany.

Sam was a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Alabama where he served for many years as a Sunday school teacher. He was united in holy matrimony to his sweetheart, Ivory Elaine Friday on April 4, 1959 at Black Creek Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. They were happily married for almost 64 years. Their union was blessed with four children: Emily, David, Mark and Amy.

Sam started his professional career as a school teacher and vice principal at Mortimer Jordan High School where he taught history until 1963. He graduated from F.B.I Academy and joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1963. He served the F.B.I as a field agent in Oklahoma City, OK, Newark, New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Birmingham, AL. He was an instructor for the F.B.I Academy at Quantico, VA from 1972-1976 when he transferred back to his home in Birmingham. He retired in 1986. After retirement, Sam served as the interim police chief of the City of Hueytown and taught criminal justice and history courses at Jefferson State Community College.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed traveling with family and visiting historical sites and battlefield parks. He loved to garden and spend time on his farm in Blount County, Alabama. He had a passion for reading and had a voracious appetite for knowledge. He also enjoyed hi bi-annual McPherson Family Reunions and catching up with relatives. He spent many hours researching his Scottish heritage and family was his legacy.

He is preceded in death by his sisters: Virler Sims and Ruby Duren and his brother, Talmadge McPherson. He is survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Friday McPherson and his children: Emily McPherson Northington (Dave), David Ray McPherson (Micki), Mark McPherson and Amy McPherson Bramblett (Mike). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Ryan (Emily), Wesley (Emily), Kate (Brandon), Ben (Marybeth), Erin, Coleman, Claire, Bradley (Anna Elise), Geoffrey, and Jay. He is survived by 10 great grandchildren: Grady, John Wyatt, Mary, Will, Elaina, Millie, Ford, Paulie Faye, Janie, Collins.

A visitation will be held Saturday, April 1, from 11 am – 12 noon at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville, AL with a chapel service at 12 noon and a short graveside service following.