Dr. Samuel A. Spralls III PhD

FINAL OBITUARY FOR DR. SAMUEL A. SPRALLS, III FOR MEMORIAL SERVICE PROGRAM
Professor Samuel Arvin Spralls, III, Ph.D., made the transition to his heavenly home on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the age of 71, after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his wife and children who will continue to honor his legacy by passing on the many lessons he taught.
Samuel Arvin Spralls, III was born on October 18, 1951 in Milwaukee, WI to the union of Sam and Mary Spralls. From the beginning, he was a serious and studious son who dreamed of becoming a professor. In his youth, he added "III" after his name to honor his lineage and reflect his personal style.
Dr. Spralls was a man of faith, entrepreneur and scholar who aimed to build a legacy he could pass on to his family. He accepted Christ in his life at age 18 under Pastor Elder Virdell Wallace at Rehoboth Miracle Temple COGIC where he later became a Deacon in the church.
After graduating from Boys Technical High School, Dr. Spralls showed up on campus at the University of Wisconsin without applying to attend. By the end of that day, he was a full-time student on scholarship. In his final year of college, he was a husband and father of three taking 27 credits his last semester to graduate on time. He graduated in 1974 with a BS in Industrial Engineering.
In 1975 he relocated with his family to Evanston, IL. There he began his professional career working for P&G and Johnson Products. Soon after becoming a father of now 5 children, he went back to school and received an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1981. He was a member of Faith Temple COGIC under Bishop Carlis Moody where he taught Sunday School and was the founding editor of The Voice of Missions magazine.
Later he moved to Dallas and developed into a true Texan, owning a horse, donning a cowboy hat and the Packers were forever replaced by the Cowboys. Here he ascended to VP of operations at Pro-Line Corp. before launching his own first hair care company, HBA International Inc. in 1983. As an example of his ability to sustain a high level of motivation, he went on to serve as chairman of the Private Industry Council for the city of Dallas, formed New Line Cosmetics, launched several hair care products, and even designed and built his own home.
When ultimately a very proud father of 6 sons and 2 daughters, he returned to his childhood dream. He received a Ph.D. in Marketing from Texas Tech University in 2003 and became a professor. He was Godly proud of this achievement and corrected anyone who did not refer to him as "Dr. Spralls". His achievements included becoming the first black professor at Central Michigan University to reach tenure and only the 164th black professor of marketing in the US ever.
Forever charming and well dressed, at the tender age of 68, he fell in love with and convinced Falicia Spralls (Green), an elementary school principle, to marry him on December 30, 2019 adding two stepchildren to the family.
Dr. Spralls leaves to cherish his memory: His loving wife, Falicia Spralls; Four siblings, Paul (Ann) Fair, Ricky Spralls and Gloria Jamerson all of Milwaukee WI and Wilbert Frank Fair of Las Vegas, NV; Eight children, Samuel A. Spralls IV of LaGrange, GA, Simone Spralls of Henderson, NV, Dionne Spralls of Columbus, OH, Damion (Brandy) Spralls of Chattanooga, TN, Shannon Spralls of Chickamauga, GA, Dominick Spralls of Arlington, TX, Rory Spralls of Red Oak, TX and Sterling Spralls of Hogansville, GA; Two step-children, Thomas Green Jr. and Briana Green both of Seattle, WA; Twenty-one grandchildren, Five great grandchildren with one on the way and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.
Dr. Spralls was preceded in death by his father, Sam Spralls, mother, Mary Spralls and sister, Verbie Chambliss.