Benjamin Samuels, Sr.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away      –Revelation 21:4 KJV

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and cousin Benjamin “Monk” Samuels went from labor to reward. Benjamin was born in Dillion, South Carolina, to the late Marion “Sonny” Samuel Sr. and the late Mary Mclellan Samuel. He received his education in the Portsmouth Public School System where he attended S. H. Clarke Jr. High and later went to I.C. Norcom High School where he graduated in the class of 1969.

While Monk was an All-American football, basketball and baseball player at I.C. Norcom High School, he received a full scholarship to South Carolina State University where he excelled in dual sports.  He was Quarterback for the SC State football team and Catcher for the SC State baseball team.

He married his wife Margaret Javette Faison in December 17, 1971. From this union, two sons were born; Benjamin “Sammy” Samuels Jr. and Randall T. Samuels. He completed his undergrad degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Biology. Sam was privileged to tryout for the Dallas Cowboys and signed as a Free-Agent; however, a knee injury prevented him from moving forward with the team.  In later years, he received a Master of Education degree in Counselor Educator from SC State in 1982.

He dedicated over 25 years of teaching at Baptist Hill High School in Hollywood, SC.  He served as Athletic Director, Head Football Coach and Basketball Coach.

Later he went back to Portsmouth, VA to teach at his High School alma mater I.C. Norcom, where he was a guidance counselor and basketball coach to many players that he cherished and loved dearly.

Benjamin was a family man. He loved to talk on the phone about family history, sports, philosophy, religion, and was always curious about what was for dinner.

He leaves to cherish precious memories with his wife Margaret Javette Samuels, two sons Benjamin “Sammy” Samuels (Tawanna) and Randall Samuels (Jessica); one brother Marion Samuel, Jr; three sisters, Mary E. Samuels, Helen M. Simon, and Inez S. Little; and one sister Rev.  Barbara J. Samuel who preceded him in death; two sisters-in-law Yolanda Denese  Waymer (James) and Rita Faison; two  brothers- in- law Kenneth Faison (Mary) and Michael Faison; four nieces  Camille Cobb, Allexis Smith(Will III), Asia Bell-Simon, and Alaya  Bell-Simon. One special sister, Iris Holman (Dwayne) and two Aunts, Bertha Rodgers and Ruby Devine and a host of nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Monk will be missed dearly. May his legacy live on for generations and generations to come