Sam West

Sam Ray West, 81, passed away February 16, 2016. A lifelong resident of Spartanburg, he was born in Campobello, SC, April, 4, 1934 to Sorrell F. and Mary Alice Durham West. The youngest of 11, he had 5 older brothers and 5 older sisters, 33 nieces and nephews. A kind, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who enjoyed a good meal with his family laughing and talking around the table, he is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanette Omega Quinn West; two daughters, Pam Gault of Boiling Springs and Cindy West of Spartanburg; two grandsons, Brad White (Jen) of Hendersonville, NC and Justin Gault (Kimberly) of Spartanburg; two great-grandsons, Skylar Gault and Liam Williams and a soon to be born great-granddaughter, Abigail Quinn White, who arrives in April. He is also survived by one sister, Polly Jones of Spartanburg; one brother, Charner West of Landrum; and one sister-in-law, Joan Goins of Clarksville, Tennessee. Sam retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 43 years of service. As a carman (welder), he repaired many damaged boxcars over his career. He was a skilled welder and could repair anything. While he was not an "educated" man by today's standards, he had more common sense and practical thinking than you could imagine. He was a jack of all trades. He could fix the sink or toilet, add on a room, repair a car, make a mean pan of cornbread, and make a beautiful patio with brick or slate pavers. His skills were many. A child of the Depression era, he knew what it was like to do without and was not a wasteful person. We always teased him that he was the original "American Picker" - he loved looking for "treasures". Before his health prevented it, he and his wife were avid dancers and enjoyed ballroom dancing. They made a handsome couple - Daddy in his tuxedo and Mama in her ballroom gowns. They were former members of dance clubs in Spartanburg and Gaffney. He was proud to be a Free Mason and was recently awarded a lifetime membership of Lone Oak Lodge # 372. Visitation will be 9:30-10:45 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2016, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM, at the Chapel, conducted by his nephew, the Rev. John Bill Burnett and Gentiva Hospice Chaplain Donna Stroud. Lone Oak Lodge #372 will perform Masonic rites. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Gentiva Hospice, 905 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29302. Words can't express our gratitude to the staff at Gentiva Hospice for their diligent care and smiling faces. He looked forward to their visits. We are also grateful to Dr. Gregory Feldman and his staff for many years of care. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Sam Ray West please visit our Sympathy Store.