Samuel Henderson Lloyd Jr.

Samuel Henderson Lloyd Jr. was born on September 28, 1916 in Poteau, Oklahoma to Samuel Henderson Lloyd and Isabell Mitchel Weinberg Lloyd, who were pioneer business leaders in Poteau. Sam was raised in Poteau and privately tutored until high school where he attended and graduated from Panama Consolidated Schools in Panama, Oklahoma. He went on to further his education by attending the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma A. and M. in Stillwater. While Sam was attending college in Stillwater he met his future wife Lela Mae Robertson. Sam and Lela Mae were married on July 26, 1939 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After their marriage they lived in Stillwater and Guthrie for a brief time before returning to Poteau. Sam operated the Lloyd family commercial laundry and along with the help of his wife Lela Mae continued to operate the laundry for many years as well as a small department store in Poteau. Sam accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the First Christian Church in Poteau and was active in the church as long as he continued to live in Poteau. In 1959, the family moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma where Sam was employed with the J.C. Penny Company until his retirement.While living in Muskogee Sam and his wife were very active in their church First Presbyterian, and both especially enjoyed singing in the choir. Sam continued up until his death singing many of his favorite songs with his beautiful baritone voice. For over forty years Sam and Lela Mae faithfully served in many areas of the church and loved their church family dearly. Sam was well known in Muskogee for his civic work for the community. He was active in the Toastmaster Club and together with his wife they volunteered many hours during the annual Azalea Festival and the Christmas Festival of Lights at Honor Heights Park. He was an avid gardener raising organic fruits and vegetables, but was especially well known for his beautiful miniature roses and many varieties of irises. Sam was gifted in many areas, musically, gardening, and he also was an artist. He created many beautiful pieces whether it be through his pencil, charcoal, oil, china painting, or wood carving he excelled in all. In 2002, Sam and Lela Mae moved from their beloved home in Muskogee to Edmond, Oklahoma to be near their son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Gloria Lloyd and their family. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, his youngest son Gary and his wife of sixty-five years. He is survived by his two sons, Sam R. Lloyd and wife Tina of Boulder, Co., Ronald H. Lloyd and wife Gloria of Edmond, Ok., and daughter-in-law Carolyn Becker of Kirkwood, Mo., also five grandchildren Stephen Lloyd and wife Sharon of Mo., Marc Lloyd and wife Thelia of Mo., Shawn Lloyd and wife Misty of Edmond, Ok., Kevin Lloyd of Muskogee, Ok., and Heather Lloyd of Wewoka, Ok. Three great grandchildren who brought so much love to their great-granddaddy, Christian, Kennedy, and Madalyne Lloyd of Edmond, Ok., and also one niece Diane Preston of Flower Mound, TX. Family graveside services will be conducted on Friday, February 29, 2008 with burial following at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau, Ok. The family request in lieu of flowers that you honor Sam’s memory by making a donation to the Alzheimer Association of Oklahoma or the American Heart Association.Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6