Rev. Sammie Lee Gordon, Sr. Obituary in Orangeburg at Simmons Funeral Home

Obituary For Rev. Sammie Lee Gordon, Sr.

Funeral services for Rev. Sammie Lee Gordon Sr., 84, of 1425 Sunset St., Orangeburg, will be held 11:00AM Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Cornerstone Church, 1481 Chestnut Street, Orangeburg, SC with interment to follow in the Belleville Memorial Gardens, 2900 Belleville Road, Orangeburg, SC. Rev. Stanley Rivers is officiating.

Reverend Sammie Lee Gordon, Sr., son of the late Ashley Sr. and Julia Gordon was born in Hampton County, Furman South Carolina on April 1, 193 7. He departed this life on September 11, 2021. He was the owner of Gordon's Shoes and Tax Service (The first African American Shoe business in South Carolina opened in March 1966), Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was a farm boy who received his early education the schools of Furman and Estill South Carolina. At the age of seven he plowed his first mule. At ten he started a business selling garden seeds. His next adventure was a partnership with a distributor selling candy and cookies. He was the first African American boy to deliver the Savannah Morning newspaper. By his early teens, he was managing the family farm and purchased his first tractor. Upon completing high school, he graduated from South Carolina Area Trade School which is currently known as Demark Technical College located in Denmark, South Carolina where he earned his degree. After graduation, he relocated to Orangeburg, South Carolina where he met and married his wife (A Calhoun County Girl). After obtaining his degree in Seminary from Southern Methodist College. Reverend Gordon accepted his call to the Ministry on March 13, 1983 and was admitted to the Central Annual Conference November 1983 under the administration of Bishop Frederick Calhoun James. He was ordained Itinerant Elder in November 1987 by Bishop Fredrick Calhoun James also in the Central Conference.

He has been a successful Minority Businessman for the past 56 years and an A.M.E. pastor for over 30 years. He retired from the ministry in which he pastored two circuits and five stations churches. All Churches were in the Wateree and Orangeburg District. He was an avid support of the NAACP, and a member of the following organizations: SC State Region Small Business Development Center Advisory Council, A.M.E Church Board of Examiners, Advisory Council for the development of the All Star Bowling Alley and All Star Justice Center, DORA( Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association , Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Administration, South Carolina Democratic Party, National Association of Shoe Retailers, Two Ten Footwear Foundation and the Shoe Service Institute of America.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hester Claire Bovain (with whom he was married to 52 years before her passing) and their son, Sandor L. Gordon; two Sisters, Reather (Luther) Bolden and Ruthie Gordon and two brothers, Ashley Gordon Jr., and Willie Gordon.

Sammie is survived by his son, Sammie L. Gordon Jr., a daughter, Sigma L. Gordon; 5 grandchildren; James E. Gordon, Simeon L. Gordon, Dominic Y.L. g, Sammie L. Gordon III and Tayana W. Tate, two sisters; Julia (Willie) Crews and Trudell (Lee Arthur) Smith, daughter - in -law, Angela (Sandor) Gordon, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.

He had a great Love and Morals for his family and people. His motto is "Never Complain and Do unto Others as you would have them Do unto You.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 22, 2021, from 12:00PM to 7:00PM.

Due to COVID-19, the family will not receive friends at the residence. Friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg.

Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions.

Online condolences may be sent to www.simmonsfuneralhome.com

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My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Rev. Gordon. I met Rev. Gordon when I was a student at SCSU over 30 years ago. He always had words of wisdom and was willing to help others. He will never be forgotten. Evelyn Haye-Primus

Mourning the loss and celebrating the life of a friend, colleague and faithful pastor. Rest in glory, my brother.
Rev. Joe Darby

With deepest sympathy and condolences ... may almighty God spirit continue with the family forever
Pastor Harold Shepherd and the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Family of Olar, S.C

To the family,of Rev. Gordon. He was a fine person in the community. Took much care in repairing many of my shoes. He left great thoughts with many. May the family remember him as their hero.
Dianne D. Paul, Summerville, S.C.

A journey remembered, Rev. Gordon leaves footprints of kindness and love, courage and compassion, inspiration, joy and faith. He left a bright trail to follow. I will forever cherish the great service and professionalism when visiting the shoe shop. With deep sympathy and prayer for the family 💔 Sylvia Shingler

Praying for God's peace to be felt during this time for the Gordon Family. Kelly Hayden

Sorry to hear about the passing of Rev. Gordon,Rev.Gordon was a very nice and kind man he was my shoe repairman when I needed some shoes repaired.RIP Rev.Gordon I will miss you from the shop. Dianne Nelson and family.

Rev.Gordon my former pastor was a kind and gentle soul praying for your strength during this time. My deepest condolences 🙏🏾 to the family

Words are never sufficient at a time like this. However, I send my condolences to the Gordon family. Rev. Gordon was a pillar in the Orangeburg and Calhoun County communities for a long time. His sweet spirit, generosity, and unconditional love for us all will be missed. I know Rev. Gordon was welcomed home from his labor here on earth; he earned his crown and robe. I pray his legacy brings his surviving family comfort and joy for the rest of your days. Peace and love be unto you.
Sincerely,
Tonya (Green) Sweat & Family