Retired SGM Sam C. Livingston Obituary (1934 - 2022)

SAM C. LIVINGSTON, Sergeant Major, Retired Sergeant Major (Retired) Sam C. Livingston was born on August 28, 1934, son of Sam and Addie Livingston of Norton, VA and the oldest of 8 children. Recognizing that his family's prosperity depended on leaving his hometown for better opportunities, he enlisted in the United States Army. Sam quickly rose through the ranks from Private 1 st class to NCO and culminated his career as Sergeant Major. During his 30-year career, he served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, and a host of other assignments. Sam was the recipient of many military awards to include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry of Cross w/Palm and Bronze Star Medal (2 nd Award). He spared his family the iterant lifestyle of a roving military family by leaving them stateside (in VA & NC) and served his overseas tours unaccompanied, leaving the primary responsibility for raising their four sons in the capable hands of his wife Lettie. Once back in the US, he settled in at Fort Bragg where he served in several units including the 82 nd Airborne Division and 1 st COSCOM. Sam was a hard-core Army soldier with nothing but the highest regard for the men and women of the United States military. He was and still is, Army strong until the end. Sam's enthusiasm and success in the military spawned a tradition of service in his family; three of his younger brothers, four sons, and one grandson proudly served this country in the US military. After retiring from the Army, Sam completed his formal education by earning his bachelor's degree at Fayetteville State University, graduating Cum Laude. He found his church home at United Pentecostal Church of Spring Lake NC where he enjoyed serving as an Usher and Elder. For many years he and Lettie had a nurturing program at church rewarding school age children with gift cards for maintaining good grades. His love for education and learning also extended to his own family. During the late 1980's, he ran "Sam's Summer School" for his first 3 grandkids to keep them on track with math and other subjects during the recess. Sam was skilled in a variety of aspects in home improvement, car maintenance, carpentry and overall handyman traits. He could fix anything. In his spare time, he enjoyed politics, watching westerns and visiting family members. He was a devoted caretaker for his mother and caregiver to his wife Lettie until both beloved ladies departed. Sam knew what interests his family enjoyed and loved to converse with them on a wide range of subjects. On April 16, 2022, at age 87, Sam peacefully slipped away into God's hands after a few years of quietly enduring physical discomfort and multiple illnesses. Although unexpected and extremely painful for those he leaves behind, the Sergeant Major suffers no more and is finally at peace having joined his parents, wife, infant son William, all his siblings, and friends who have gone before. Sam is survived by sons, Marcus, Larry, Frederick and Theodore; daughters-in-law, Selena Hutchinson, Lanelle, and Faye; 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. He will be missed greatly by his family, church members, military comrades, and lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Sam's memory to United Pentecostal Church of Spring Lake, 1620 Lillington Highway, Spring Lake, NC 28390.