Samuel Lee Shockley

Samuel Lee Shockley, was born on Wednesday, November 27, 1929, to Lester Reginald Shockley and Mabel Novella Johnson Shockley, in Snow Hill, Maryland. He attended school at Hutt’s Chapel and Mt. Wesley School in Snow Hill and Milford Neck, in Milford, Delaware. Samuel served in the United States Army from February 24, 1954, to February 24, 1956, and was honorably discharged after two years and two days of dedicated service for God and his country. He served during the Korean Conflict and World War II. Samuel’s employment began at the early age of 12. Due to his father’s death, Sam became the head of his household and as the oldest of five children, he provided well for his brothers and sisters, as well as his mother. He ate not of the bread of idleness. He was first employed on Russell Carey’s Farm in Milton, Delaware, then went on to varies jobs at Lewes Poultry and Fort Miles in Lewes, Delaware, Warehouse Supply Master and Frankford Arsenal in Frankford, Pennsylvania, Quarter Master Depo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Federal Aviation, in Wilmington, Delaware, the Veteran’s Administration in Elsmere, Delaware, where he worked in the Linen Supply & Control Department and Valley Forge General Hospital, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He then transferred to the Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, Civil Service, Supply Supervisor, retiring in December after 37+ years of service. In 1995, Sam was employed by Confidential Services as a Security Guard then Bennett Security, until December 2004. Sam was a mentor and role model for all those he met. No one was a stranger. He always wore a smile and spent his free time cooking and sharing food with others. His hobbies included cooking, gardening, traveling, reading the newspaper, sleeping and helping others. In 1956, Sam joined the Millsboro Seventh Day Adventist Church, under the leadership of Elder Nelson Bliss. He worked tirelessly to bring others to Christ. He served in many positions within the church as investment leader, Pathfinder Director, A.Y. Leader, Community Services, Adventist Men Leader, Stewardship Leader, Elder, Deacon and Sabbath School Teacher. He worked with the church building committee during Pastor Rudyard Lord’s tenure. He spent many hours advancing the cause of the Hispanic movement in Millsboro from 1986 to the present. Sam’s favorite song was In the Sweet By & By, favorite Scripture: John 3:16. His goals in life were to provide for his family and lead others to Christ. Samuel married Joyce Streett on July 26, 1987, and adopted her sons, Micheal T. Wright and Dallas T. Wright. After the death of his sister, Martha, he resumed the care of his mother and provided the best of care for her until her passing in 2004. After the sudden passing of his sister, Myrtle, he became a surrogate parent to Edward & Phillip Lee. Upon the death of his brother, James, he assumed the parental role of a father to Allen & Alma Lee Gibbs. Samuel was preceded in death by brothers, Willy (8 days after birth) and James, who passed in 2003; son, Troy Wright and sisters, Martha, in 2000 and Myrtle, in 1998. In addition to his loving wife, Joyce, Sam leaves to cherish his memory, sons, Micheal T. Wright and Mark Wright; grandchildren, Austin, Kaelan, Deja, Aliyah, Cheyenne, E.J., Kelsey and P.J. Morgan; one goddaughter, Destinee Sunja Brook Norwood; two daughters-in-law, Shelaine Wright and Kandi Wright (Melissa & Kathy); brothers-in-law, Tony, Vernon, Melvin, Harvey, Ralph & Jerry; sisters-in-law, Shirley, Merian, Carolyn and Patricia; and numerous cousins and relatives in Snow Hill and Baltimore, Maryland and New Jersey.

Samuel Lee Shockley

November 27, 1929 - December 12, 2020