Samuel Gilyard the son of the late Mary West Gilyard and Henry Gilyard was born on February 4, 1941, in Hudson County, NJ, and transitioned to his heavenly home on October 27, 2021 at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.
Sammy grew up and attended school in Hoboken, NJ. Sammy was a kind, loving and giving man who always had a smile on his face and gratitude in his heart. God’s purpose for his life was fulfilled in that he was a loving husband, a great father, a good man, and a shinning example. He is best remembered as a compassionate and extraordinary provider of love and support to his family, and as a man of superb work ethic and morals. God’s light shinned through his smile and his gracious and humble spirit. He loved the Lord, and he loved his neighbors as thyself.
He met and married the love of his life, Mearlease, in May of 1978 in Jersey City, NJ, and the two became one flesh as God designed in Genesis 2:24. The couple was inseparable. Sam loved Mearl with his whole heart and they cared for and provided for each other until he could no more. She held his hand as he transitioned to be with our Savior. In 1989 the couple relocated their immediate family to South Carolina. He was employed by South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC and retired in 2010. After he retired, the couple moved to Columbia, SC where they are members of the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road.
Sammy’s passing is preceded by his parents, Henry and Mary (West) Gilyard; his daughter, Shelia Gilyard of Jersey City, NJ; Sisters: Sandra (Twin), Alice, June, Mary, Marlene, Grace; Brothers: Leroy, William, Robert; and his Brother-in-laws: Marvin Phoenix Jr. and Michael Phoenix of Jersey City, New Jersey.
Sammy leaves to cherish his precious memories: his wife of 43 years Mearlease; his daughters: Stephanie Gilyard of Charlotte NC, Sandy Smith (Cedrick) of Jersey City NJ, Yovonda Jenkins of Orangeburg SC, Michelle Jenkins of Holly Hill SC, Nicole Jenkins of Columbia SC, Kimberly D. Pringle (Bryce) of Fort Knox, KY; his grandson whom he raised as a son, Tyquan Jenkins of Columbia, SC; his brother Daniel Gilyard and Sister Margie “Miinnie” Gilyard both of Hoboken, NJ and his Sister-in-Law Verlinda Willis (Jerome) of Silver Spring MD.
Sammy is survived by 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, extended relatives, and neighbors all of whom adored and loved him very much.
Sending my love and condolences to my family..Dealing with lose is never easy.May the memories of Uncle Sammy comfort us all his family and friends.Uncle Sammy Soul has found rest..
Uncle Sammy you will be missed, and will always stay close to our hearts. May Your soul rest in peace! Give My Grandma Mary&Grandpa Stepo Hug For Me 💛 love
Sorry on the lost of Sam. Sam was always kind.And kept a smile on his face.May God continue to bless his family.
Kim, Extending my deepest condolences to you and your family. You all are in my thoughts and I pray God gives you peace, strength and comfort. I am here if you need anything. Sending big hugs and love always.
To the Gilyard Family.
May God give you the strength at a time such as this. God will provide everything you need in the midst of this difficult time. Sammy will truly be missed, his smile.
I praying for your peace & strength! Please let me know what I can do!!
Love lives forever.
Mr. Gilyard (Dad/Hubby/friend) will live forever in your hearts, just as he always has.
May God bless you, keep you, comfort you, and wrap His loving arms around you. And May God give you peace.
Kim,
Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences for your
loss. My family and I will keep
you in our prayers.
To the family of the late Mr Gilyard,
Please accept my genuine condolences in this difficult time. I am thinking of and wishing you and your family hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain. I share your pain and I am here for you.
Kim, My accept deepest sympathy and love, for you and you family. Please try not to focus on the sad times, but instead focus on the beautiful memories you all have made. I pray that God will give you and your family comfort and peace during these times. I love you, and will be there for you.
Our sincerest condolences.
– The Espinda’s
My deepest condolences to the family. May God give you strength and healing in this time of sorrow. 🙏🙏
My deepest condolences to the family. May give you strength and healing in this time of sorrow. 🙏🙏
Sending prayers of comfort during a difficult time to Kimbery Pringle and family. I know your father is smiling down on you and is extremely proud of the woman, mother, wife and army officer that he loved and raised.
Saying good bye to someone we love is heartbreaking my you find the comfort in all special memories shared with your dad/ husband. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this difficult time in your life! Uncle Sammy I will keep your smile in my mine my heart and my soul ♥ you was a very love caring person with a heart of Gold. You loved everyone in the family and we all love you! Rest well Uncle you will be missed 😢 One memorie that I have of you was when you use to be outside singing I use to call you Smoky Roberson now you can dance and sing in heaven with the family members that are there waiting by the gate to welcome you in!
Deepest, deepest condolences. Sending my prayers and love to the family🙏❤️. Rest in peace Sammie
May God comfort and strengthen the family and all who knew and loved, Mr. Gilyard. My deepest condolences to you all.
A true “girl dad!” Mr. Sammie was a special person. He never met a stranger, and loved on you like you were family. I know that God is pleased! Take your rest Mr. Sammie, you were a good and faithful servant. You will always be in our hearts, and your legacy will live on through your family. Rest in paradise.
To the family of the late Mr. Samuel Gilyard. My sincere condolences to you. I pray you find peace and comfort knowing he was a great husband, father and friend. He will be missed greatly.
To the family of the late Mr. Samuel Gilyard. I’m sending my deepest sympathy and condolences to you. Mr. Samuel was a gentle giant and humble to anyone who knows him. Stay strong family God is giving you all the strength to hold one another tight at this time and never let go. . I love you guys praying for the family🙏🏼
Mr. Sammy was a very kind and special person. His smile and presence will most certainly be missed at the “Towers”. Prayers to his loving wife and family.
Sharon & David Cooper
Sorry your loss. Mr Sam was pleasant man. He was good to talk with every day when he went to walk sparkie. I will miss him dearly.