Samuel Kinlow's Obituary
Samuel Kinlow Sr.
9/24/1928 to 9/5/2013
Celebrating the life of Samuel Kinlow Sr. who was born on September 24, 1928 in Arkansas to Ezra Kinlow and Mary (Lewis) Kinlow. He was the first of eleven children.
He retired in 1990 after serving over 20 years. He lived in Tacoma, WA. He was married to Artie Pearl DeShazer on December 12, 1948, in Florence, Arkansas. He was a member of New Jeruselum COGIC, where he served as a Deacon.
He is the Father of eight children, Samuel Kinlow Jr.of Tacoma, WA, David Kinlow of Omaha, NE, Floyd Kinlow of Seattle, WA, Thurman Kinlow of Renton, WA, Carol Kinlow-Davis of Lynnwood, WA, Jeffortha Kinlow of Tacoma, WA, Lester Kinlow of Kent, WA and Seraphine Kinlow-Hill of Inglewood, CA. He also has twenty two grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.
He can be best described as kind, loving, inspirational, friendly and humorous. His favorite music is Gospel (call and response songs). He would want the atmosphere at his service to be celebratory and religious.
Samuel Kinlow, Sr., began his earthly journey in Gourd, Arkansas, September 24, 1928. He finished that journey and began his transition to life everlasting September 5, 2013.
He was the oldest of eleven children born to the Late Ezra and Mary Kinlow. His parents, one son, three sisters, Thelma, Ruby and Alice; and two brothers, Timothy and Matthew, preceded him in death.
His early years of education were in a two-room school located in the Gourd community near Dumas, Arkansas. Sometime during his father’s ministry of a church in Florence, Arkansas, he set his eyes upon the young and beautiful, Artie Pearl Deshazer. The two were united in holy matrimony December 12, 1948, and remained inseparable for nearly 65 years.
Sam, or Deac, as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was a hard worker. He spent many days working on his father’s farm. Later he worked for a lumber company in order to care for his family. In 1959 a dear friend, Elder T. L. Westbrook, told him about a job opportunity in Tacoma, Washington. So, he and his wife, Artie, relocated their family, and Sam obtained a job with Lundberg Concrete Pipe, Co. about six – eight years prior to Concrete Technology, where he was employed for more than 30 years. Following his retirement, until his health failed, Sam assumed responsibility for the maintenance and security of the State Jurisdictional Headquarters building in Tacoma.
Sam accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. When the family moved to Dumas in 1946, he united with the Holy Temple COGIC in Dumas, AR, under the leadership of Elder Thomas LaFlora. Upon moving to Tacoma in 1959, he became a faithful member of New Jerusalem COGIC. At New J, he was reunited with his good friend and pastor, Bishop T.L. Westbrook. In the early 1950s they had been a team in ministry in Arkansas, with Elder Westbrook preaching and Sam revving up the crowd with his rejoicing and dancing. Sam, operating under the Holy Spirit, was a major attraction. Souls were saved and God got the glory.
At New J, Sam served as a senior deacon, responsible for leading, training and developing junior deacons. He was a living profile of the early church deacons described in the sixth chapter of the Book of Acts. He was a kind man who loved people. His life exemplified Proverbs 18:24--“A man that hath friends, must show himself friendly...”
He leaves to celebrate his life on earth and his transition into glory, his wife: Artie Pearl Deshazer Kinlow; six sons: Samuel (Gloria) Kinlow, Jr. of Tacoma, WA; David (Carol) Kinlow of Omaha, Nebraska; Floyd Kinlow of Seattle, WA; Thurman (Germaine) Kinlow of Renton, WA; Jeff Kinlow of Tacoma, WA; and Lester (Trish) Kinlow of Kent, WA; two daughters: Carol (Dennis) Kinlow-Davis of Lynnwood, WA; Seraphine (Amos) Kinlow-Hill of Inglewood, CA; two brothers: Supt. Ezra (Eleise) Kinlow of Spokane, WA and Pastor Eugene (Nan) Kinlow of Washington, DC; three sisters: Alma Robinson of Seattle, WA; Jerilean Brewer of Dumas, AR; and Yvonne (Roy) Corbin of Federal Way, WA. In addition, he leaves 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual family members, and friends.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Remembrances may be shared at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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