Sammy Gene Savage

Funeral services for Sammy Gene Savage, 78, of Grand Saline, TX are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Friday, June 9, 2023, at Main Street Baptist Church in Grand Saline.  Burial will follow at White Rose Cemetery in Wills Point, Tx  Services are under the direction of Hiett’s LyBrand Funeral Home.  

Sammy passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Tyler surrounded by his loving family.

Sammy Gene Savage was born December 8, 1944, in Grand Saline, TX to parents, Sam and Helen Savage. He graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1963. Immediately he moved to Dallas and attended Draughns Business College and graduated. While living in Dallas he worked for the Eli Company and Mobile Oil Geographical. Sammy returned to Grand Saline after being hired by the First National Bank.

He was drafted by the United States Army and served two years at Fort Polk Louisiana. He was a percussion player in the 56th Army Band and musician.  He also served as Army Chapel organist. He was an accomplished marksman.  He was honorably discharged from the Army as Specialist E4.

Returning to Grand Saline, he attended Barrow Beauty School of Cosmetology in Tyler, TX and graduated as a Cosmetologist. He continued his education and obtained his instructor’s license. Sammy taught at the school and was affectionately known as “Mister Sam”. During this time, he also worked at the Magic Mirror Beauty Salon, later purchasing the salon and renaming it Sammy’s Beauty Salon.

 In 2021, he received the Texas Treasure Business Award from the Texas Historical Commission, recognizing his 52 years as a business owner.

In 1972 Sammy met the love of his life, Ruth Rohus, and married September 14, 1974. They were blessed with their beautiful daughter Shelley. The couple worked together as co-owners and stylists.  

Sammy also became a member of the Journeyman Quartet as musician and vocalist. He enjoyed spreading the Gospel through music and traveling throughout Texas as well as singing on the Steve Morris Gospel Hour. Sammy was a devout Christian and for many years church musician at First Pentecostal Church in Grand Saline as well as a church Deacon. He later became a member of Emmanuel Pentecostal Church in Mesquite. Sammy was currently attending Central Pentecostal Church in Grand Saline. 

His favorite past times were listening to his favorite radio bible study and working in the yard. Sammy also loved to watch cooking shows and Bob Ross painting shows. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Helen Savage; grandparents, Meredith and Eva Murphy and Tommy and Minnie Savage; sister, Brenda Bryant.

Sammy is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 48 years and 8 months, , daughter, Shelley Baker and husband, Kory of Flint, TX; and a grandbaby on the way, Kora. 

He is loved and will be missed greatly by a host of friends and loved ones.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Main Street Baptist Church in Grand Saline

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