Sammie Hiram Guidry, 95, of Beaumont went Home to join his Savior on September 22, 2008. Hurricane Ike expedited his departure from this earth, but his time in this life was blessed and complete.
Helen and Arthur Guidry welcomed their son into this world on June 7, 1913, in High Island, Texas. As a teenager, Sammie decided to pursue a youthful industry called “the oil fields”. He lied about his age and thus began his career at the ripe old age of 15. Sammie devoted 50 years to the oil field with 41 years given to Amoco Production Company.
While working in the Barbers Hill oil fields, Sammie discovered a young lady named Ima Hill at a mutual friend’s house during a social, which was common for the times. Sammie and Ima cultivated an enduring friendship that harvested a marriage of 52 years.
Sammie endured the unexpected and life altering injury of their only son, Boyd. His unyielding resolve to his son’s wellbeing for over 30 years was heroic.
Prior to Sammie’s retirement, he decided to build him, Ima, and Boyd a home they could grow old together in. After work, on weekends and off days he built their dream home. His commitment to quality did not exclude himself. His resoluteness created a family gathering site that produced many photo opportunities. Fellowship with family and friends was the cornerstone of his castle.
Many family, friends, and neighbors were blessed with the many passions of Sammie. His gardens produced enough food for the masses. Many freezers had plenty of fish. Jars of honey were hard to keep a secret. His bar-b-que chicken at family reunions was always anticipated. His love of tinkering produced many gadgets that one couldn’t live without. His love of music and dance gave him and Ima many a fun filled night with friends and family. His love of nature and the outdoors created many enjoyable days in his rocking chair watching his hummingbirds.
Sammie took great pleasure in reading his Bible and was into his fourth reading. The pages were worn and so very familiar that referencing was effortless.
Sammie’s assured path to Glory was paved by his parents Arthur and Helen Turner Guidry, wife Ima Hill Guidry, son Boyd Guidry, son in law Cecil Parker, brothers Clyde, William, Elmer, and Robert Guidry, and sisters Evelyn Guidry Shaw, Louise Guidry Rhoades Davis, and Lillian Monroe.
Sammie leaves behind daughters, Sharon Parker of Cove, Jennie Brady and husband Pat of Port Arthur; grandchildren, Chuck Brady and wife Christi of China, Texas, Candace Harmon and husband John of Sault St. Marie, Michigan, Tammie Parker of Cove, Cecil “Bubba” Parker and wife Tammy of Mont Belvieu, Sharon Simmons and husband Robbie of Cove, and Billie Parker of Llano; sisters-in-law, Myrtle Dugat and Dorothy Hill also endure. Great-grandchildren are Patrick, Levi, Asa & Cole Harmon, Eric & Evi Andrews, Jennifer & David Wilson, Kevin and Stephanie Sanders, Jacy and David Melancon, and C.W. and Charles Parker; and great great-grandchildren, Chase Brady, Maddie and Austin Wilson, Adam and Allie Andrews, Christian Wells-Sanders, Zane Brown, Jude Savoy and Fiona, Lily and Asher Sanders; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to Sammie’s firm Christian belief in vows given before God, he is also survived by his estranged wife Juanita Fortenberry Guidry of Woodville and Teague, Texas.
Honoring Sammie’s daughters by serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Kevin Sanders, Chuck Brady, Eric Andrews, Cecil “Bubba” Parker, Robbie Simmons, and nephew Harold Guidry. Honorary pallbearers will be grandson John Harmon and nephew James Robert Guidry.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00, Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Family and friends can join Jennie and Sharon for lunch after the services at Sharon’s. Interment will take place in Baytown, Texas at the Masonic Cemetery on Ferry Road at 2 p.m.
