Samuel Wayne Crisson

On November 24, 2020, our dear Samuel was lifted up by God and His angels and taken to his Heavenly Home.

Samuel was born on September 25, 1977, in Burlington, NC, to Martha Drew Crisson and Oliver Wayne Crisson. The family moved to Cary in 1982 and to Raleigh in 1987, where Sam attended and graduated from Millbrook High School in 1995. Samuel later attended classes at Wake Technical Community College and Durham Technical Community College. During his teen years, Samuel studied piano and guitar and was a natural. He was active in the St. James United Methodist Youth Fellowship and accompanied the group on a 2-week mission trip to Appalachia.

From the time that Samuel was a toddler, his passions were cars (Chevrolets, mainly) and music. His first love was the black 1978 Monte Carlo SS that the family bought when Samuel was a year-old. His dream was to someday have his own Chevrolet. At age 14, Samuel applied for a workers' permit, and began working in the produce department of Food Lion. At the same time, he detailed cars for our neighbors and other friends. At age15, Sam had saved enough to buy a used 1978 Monte Carlo.

Sam was also an avid music lover. His impressive library of music included a collection of 45's, LPs, cassette tapes, and CDs from all genres, especially the 50's through the 90's. In his little "studio," he would mix and record custom CDs or tapes, by request or as gifts. Nothing delighted him more. His friends and family will attest that Samuel was a walking encyclopedia of artists, songs, and lyrics.

Samuel was blessed with a smile that would light up a room, with a natural charisma, and with a gift of making every person feel like they were the most important one at that moment. All who have met Samuel say that, even through the hardships, he served God and shared the gospel with friends from all walks of life. Samuel's friendships with the homeless community and his concern for their welfare were widely-known. Samuel has taught us all so much.

Samuel is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joan Nix Drew and Robert Mitchell Drew; his paternal grandparents, Elsie Davis Crisson and Grover Frank Crisson; and beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Samuel is survived by his parents, Martha Drew Crisson and Oliver Wayne Crisson; his sister, Gretchen Parker (and husband, Charles); his nieces, Annagail Chazlyn Parker and Molly Olivia Parker; his great-niece, Summer Lynn Parker; and numerous, much-loved Drew and Crisson aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A "Celebration of Life" service to honor Sam will be scheduled for March, in hopes that we can more safely gather with family and friends. Arrangements will be forthcoming at this link and on FaceBook.

Donations may be made to Samuel's church, Koinonia House of Prayer, P.O. Box 30907, Raleigh, NC 27622. Koinonia serves the homeless communities in Raleigh with fellowship, food, and worship. They also lead missions far and wide to aid poverty-stricken nations.