Samuel David Thorpe, Sr.

Samuel David Thorpe, Sr., borneebruary 21, 1922 went to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior on May 19, 2011, while a resident of Pittsboro Christian Village, Pittsboro, NC. Born in North Grafton, MA, and raised in Providence, RI, he along with three sisters, Charlotte, Barbara, and May, were raising in a godly Christian home. Sam accepted Christ as his Savior in his late teens just before entering the Army. Uponeeturning from Germany at the end of WWII, Sam met his wife at a Youth For Christ rally and soon married Harriett Frances Robert. He trained as a machinist grew in his field to become an accomplished Tool & Die Maker within the textile industry. Uponeetirement in 1974, Sam and Harriett moved to Summerville, SC and Harriett, after a prolonged illness, was called home to glory in 1992. Sam met Ruby Williams of Durham, NC at the Skylands Bible Conference and they were married in 1994. They resided in Durham until moving to the Pittsboro Christian Village in 2009. Sam is survived by his wife Ruby Thorpe, his sister May Stephenson, his son Sam Thorpe Jr., and his wife Barbara; his daughter Marilyn Olson and her husband Fred. By his two children, Sam leaves a godly legacy of eight grandchildren who love and serve the Lord, and 14 precious great grandchildren, plus one great grandchild, Joseph Olson, who is already with the Lord, and with Harriett to welcome Dad home. During an active life of service to the Lord Jesus Christ and to their local church fellowship, Sam was a shepherdineelder, Bible teacher and preacher of the Gospel. He loved his family and gave his life to the service of his extended spiritual church family as a top priority. His home was a place known for the hospitality of the saints and servants of God. Sam's parents, James Richmond Thorpe of Glasgow, Scotland and Mary Porter of Dublin, Ireland, were married in 1920 and while living in Rhode Island, were ineellowship at Pawtucket Gospel Hall and Rochambeau Avenue Gospel Hall. While raising his young family, Sam attended Elmwood Avenue Gospel Hall which later moved to Warwick, RI, where was one of the foundineelders of the new work, Buttonwoods Gospel Chapel. After moving to South Carolina, Sam served as an elder in establishing a new work ineear Summerville, Ladson Bible Fellowship. After moving to Durham, he joined his new wife Ruby ineellowship at Grove Park, where he continued for many years in an active Bible teaching ministry. A memorial service to celebrate Sam's life will be held at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, May 24, 2011 in the chapel of Pittsboro Christian Village. Friends may visit with the family from 9 10 am Tuesday in the parlor adjacent to the chapel. Sam's remains will be buried privately beside those of his first wife at Plantationeemorial Gardens in Moncks Corner, SC on Monday. Online condolences may be registered at www.hallwynne.com, select "Obits and Guestbooks" then "Current Services." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pittsboro Christian Village, 1825 East St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 or UNC Hospice, 480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro, NC. 27312. Arrangements for Mr. Thorpe are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service of Pittsboro