Samuel Paul Simpson Jr

Samuel Paul Simpson, Jr. son of Estelle Merrifield Simpson and Sam Paul Simpson MD died in his sleep of natural causes in the morning of January 7, 2024. A resident of Buckingham South since a near-fatal bout with COVID, he continued to pursue a few of his passions, especially Bridge, Politics, and the Stock Market. Sammy as many knew him retired from the Chatham County Health Department as Chief Sanitarian in the early 1990’s. He moved to Savannah in the early 1960s as a loan officer for General Electric Credit, providing Floor financing for many businesses across the city. During this period, he began purchasing and restoring properties on Jones and Barnard Streets at a time when many were abandoning the historic center of Savannah.

Eventually, he was convinced by the head of Public Health to use his background in biology and statistics for the public. One particularly important project he worked on included both the testing of young children for lead exposure and its abatement throughout the county. Many knew him as the person who monitored wells and swimming pools, driving around in his 1972 yellow GMC pickup with a pair of post-hole diggers for perk tests and his water testing kit.

He loved animals and regularly showed his Boxers, Hector, and Duchess across the South. He served the local Kennel Club as a Steward, a leader, and a Judge. He always had a cat in his home, and he was a fervent supporter of the Human Society for Greater Savannah.

Set free from Drug addiction in the mid-1980s, he was able to maintain his sobriety for the rest of his life with the help of Narcotics Anonymous and faithful attendance at daily Mass. Two missions defined his life – sharing the freedom of sobriety and bringing people to Mass. He was a longtime member of the Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle, a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. Sam was always bringing someone to bible study, Breakfast, dinners, and gatherings of all sorts, in addition to Mass, so that they too might know the joy he had found in a life centered on Christ Jesus.

Those who knew Sam were never left in doubt as to his opinion on any given subject, particularly if it involved politics. He had a wicked sense of humor and loved to goad people, sometimes to distraction. Underneath the gruff front was a heart that genuinely cared for people, especially those who were down and out and living a marginal life in this world.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, Friday, January 12 th at 11 am, in the Collegiate Church of St. Paul the Apostle – 1802 Abercorn Street (34 th ), Savannah, GA. The Rev’d Fr Kevin Kelly, Presiding, The Rev’d Fr Charles Todd, Liturgical Deacon, and The Very Rev’d Fr Wm Willoughby III, Homilist.