Sammie Lee Templeton

Sammie Lee “Mr. T” Templeton of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, March 14, 2025, at his residence at the age of 93 years. He was born on March 1, 1932, in Forest City, Arkansas to the late David and Carrie (Mitchell) Templeton. Sammie was a proud graduate of Lincoln High School. He had many talents with a servant’s heart. Sammie served in the United State Air Force in the 1950’s. He worked as a nurse in the county hospital, was employed at the Veterans Hospital, and in 1964, Sammie was employed with General Motors Automotive, retiring after 25 years of service.

He enjoyed sitting in his garage, having fun with his friends, watching Westerns, playing cards, cooking, and spending time with his family. He never said “goodbye,” he said, “right on.”

Sammie was affectionately known as “Mr. T.” by those who loved him and was fondly remembered for smoking his pipes and long cigars.

Sammie leaves to cherish his memory through his children: Joyce (Terry) Glenn; Shirley Green; Ronnie Templeton; Sam Templeton Jr.; Deborah Templeton; Anthony Williams; and Mildred Long; stepchildren: Calvin, Pearle, Houston, Ophelia, Doris, Roger, Jimmie and Andre Jackson, Sam Williams, Joslin and Charles Blakes; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; special grandchildren: Rondale, Charles, Henry, Passion, and Trixie Templeton, Roshanda Blakes, Sharonda Stanford, James Long, and Jerel Williams; bonus family members, Christine, Tesha, and Ciera Wilson.

Sammie was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Templeton, his eleven siblings; children: Sam and June Templeton; Jackie Essex, Elen Dexter; and one grandson, Eddie “Tubby” Blakes.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our beloved family friend, Etta Smith, for all her love and care and a special thank you to his primary care provider, Chaplain Deborah Templeton.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Greater Solid Rock Baptist Church, 605 Meade Street, Saginaw, MI 48602. Pastor Earnest Reed will officiate. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.casefuneralhome.com.