Someone you should know – Shirley Sample

Someone you should know – Shirley Sample

Providence #1 Baptist Church, Montevallo
Chilton Baptist Association

Favorite Verse:  Thessalonians 5:16–18

Favorite Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, quilting and sewing

Family Status: Widowed after 55 years of marriage to Edgar; four children, Sidney, Betty, Lloyd and David; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great grand children

Mrs. Shirley” as she is affectionately called began attending Providence #1 Baptist Church when she was 2 years old. Sample, 98, has served in many church positions including Sunday School teacher, Woman’s Missionary Union, Vacation Bible School, Discipleship and the choir.

Q: What influences in your life pointed you to Christ at the beginning of your faith journey?

A: My grandmother carried me each Sunday to service starting when I was 2 [years old]. I accepted Christ when I was 16 and was baptized when I was 21.

Q: Why have you continued serving through the years?

A: My husband Edgar and I were always considered pillars of the church.

Q: What does the ministry demand?

A: For years everyone expected me to bring a pan of chicken dressing whenever the church had a family meal.

Q: What do you get from the ministry?

A: I worked at the Jemison school lunchroom for years. Many of the students still remember me.

Q: How do you see yourself involved in ministry service in the future?

A: I have gotten to the place that I can’t do much of anything, but I pray a lot.

If you know of a person who should be featured as “Someone You Should Know,” send his or her name, a contact number and the reason you think he or she should be featured to Someone You Should Know, c/o The Alabama Baptist, 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.