Samuel Martin Millette

May 12, 2018

CHARLOTTE – Samuel Martin Millette died peacefully at his home on May 12, 2018, just shy of his 95th birthday. He was the second of five sons born to Fermin J. and Therese Gorman Millette, and had a rich childhood full of brotherly adventures in Greenville, MS.

Accepted by the US Navy as an Aviation Cadet, Sam earned his Navy wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps at Pensacola, FL in October 1943. He served 14 months in the South Pacific in a Marine Corps dive-bomber squadron.

The highlight of his military service was falling in love with Sue Riggan, whom he met and courted for all of four months until they were married in Raleigh, NC, in February 1945. Sam completed active duty in the Marine Corps as a Captain and enrolled in Wake Forest College (now University), receiving his Bachelor of Laws (later Juris Doctor) degree in 1951. He and Sue briefly relocated to Springfield, MA, but the few months spent there only affirmed their love of the South.

They decided Charlotte was the place where they would have their family and hang out the shingle to practice law. Sam was a sole practitioner for eight years, joined Bell, Bradley, Gebhardt, DeLaney & Millette (and succeeding names) for 26 years, and shared an office with Robert G. Sanders, for a career of 52 years. He was licensed to practice law before all the courts of NC, the US District Court of Western NC, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the US Tax Court, and the US Supreme Court.

During his practice Sam was a member of the Mecklenburg County and NC Bar Associations, the NC State Bar, the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Medical-Legal Society. He was a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, served nine years as the NC State Bar Councilor from Mecklenburg County and two terms on the Executive Council of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. In addition, he was a member of the Wake Forest Law Alumni Council.

Sam was a charter member of the Board of Advisors of Holy Angels Nursery and served on the Board and as President of United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Piedmont. He was a charter member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church and served on the Parish Council. He was an honorary member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. A long-time member of Myers Park Country Club, Sam enjoyed golf, hunting, sporting events, and travel.

After almost 58 years together, Sam’s beloved wife Sue passed away suddenly in 2002. In addition to his parents and his wife, Sam was predeceased by three brothers: Fermin Millette, Jr. of Lafayette, LA; Theodore Millette of Pascagoula, MS; and Thomas Millette of Fairhope, AL. He is survived by brother William Millette of Pascagoula, MS, sons Samuel Millette, Jr. (Lynne Crutcher Millette), of Destin, FL; and Kenneth Millette (Melissa McLeod Millette), of Charlotte; and grandchildren: Martin Millette III, Jackson, MS, and Lindsey Bryant (Brett), Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Emily Millette, Camp Hill, PA, and Allen Millette, Aurora, IL; and two great-grandchildren, Adelaide Bryant and Bennett Bryant.

The family thanks the caregivers of FirstLight Home Care of Matthews for the loving and compassionate care given to Sam in the final months of his life. We are also deeply grateful to Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, for the wonderful care and guidance provided in the last days of Sam’s life.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210, at 1:30 o’clock P M on Thursday, May 17, 2018 with Fr. Mark Lawler, Celebrant. Following Mass, the family will receive friends at a reception at The Cypress of Charlotte, Community Room, 3442 Cypress Club Dr., Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent  de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210; Samuel M. Millette Faculty Support Endowment in Business, University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, University, MS 38655, umfoundation.com/makeagift; or Memory Center of Charlotte, 300 Billingsley Rd., Suite 108, Charlotte, NC 28211.

“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” Wisdom, 3:1

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

 

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  • Brian Morgan

    My aunt’s family (Roma Scholtz, Witt) introduced me to Sam and Sue while I was visiting several times in the 1970s. Sam was a character, and I remember his wise counsel about practicing law. My time in Charlotte was another time. I fondly remember Roma, Witt, Sam and Sue. G. Brian Morgan, Esq., New York.

  • Jane Nisbet Hinson

    God's Blessings and Peace be with you all. What an amazing gentleman shall be truly missed. Prayers ?✝️. ??