Cecil "Sam" Franklin Sommers

Cecil Franklin “Sam” Sommers, 86, of Sylvania, Ga passed away peacefully Thursday, December 11, 2025 after an extended illness.

Sam was born in Screven county to the late Lloyd Jefferson Sommers and Thelma Blackburn Sommers- he was the third of five children.

In addition to his parents, Sam, was preceded in death by siblings, Lloyd “Spook” Sommers, Deloris S. Grooms and Douglas McArthur “Buddy” Sommers.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lelia and their three children Chris Sommers (Joyce), Rachel Bayne Evans (Doug Holton) and Brandon Sam Sommers (Charly Rosenberger). In addition, he is survived by his three children from a previous marriage, Bonnie S. Connolly (Tommy) of Savannah, Georgia, Brian Sommers (Deborah) of Mountain City, Tennessee and Rocky Sommers (Tonya) of Rincon, Georgia; grandchildren, Kyle Connolly, Brent Connolly, Alyssa Ryan, Jake Sommers, Payton Lee, Silas Ford Sommers, Waylon Wright Sommers; and two great grandchildren, Calynn and Kinley Connolly; a sister, Dorothy S. Parrish of Portal, Georgia; sister in-law, Gail Sommers of Rocky Ford, Georgia; several nieces and nephews and his beloved pups, “Precious and Sophie”.

He loved racing, hunting, and took pride in being a wonderful husband, father, and provider to his family. Sam’s real passion was racing. He began his career in 1965. He was known as “Sailin’ Sam”. He won at racetracks all over Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. By 1975-1976 he was Savannah's track champion and Georgia state champion. From 1976-1978 he ran 30 races in NASCAR elite series at the time known as the Grand National Series. He was the 1st rookie to sit on the pole for the 1977 Dixie 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, then known as Atlanta National Raceway. He knocked Richard Petty off the pole that day. That was one of the biggest achievements of his racing career. A successful racing career earned him induction into the Jacksonville Racing Hall Of Fame, Augusta International Preservation Society Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. In February 2025, he was also presented with the “Saturday Night Hero Award” from the Living Legends of Auto Racing Inc. in Daytona Beach, Florida. Most competitors claimed Sam to be a force to be reckoned with. He was known for schooling quite a few drivers over the years. He loved his fans. They ranged from babies to the elderly. After he retired from racing, Sam enjoyed a 27 year career as an owner/operator in the trucking industry. He was loved by all.

A visitation will be held from 3:00pm ~ 5:00pm on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Thompson Strickland Waters, Joiner Anderson Chapel.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, December 15, 2025 at Thompson Strickland Waters, Joiner Anderson Chapel with interment to follow in Douglas Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.