Barry Sams

November 22, 2020

 CHARLOTTE – Barry Sams

Every good soul deserves to be remembered.

Wherever life took Barry Sams, he went with a hopeful spirit, even during his final days under hospice care. The activities director at the skilled nursing facility where he lived a few months back said Barry got out of bed every day with a smile no matter how much pain he was in. That is his legacy.

Barry died of cancer on Nov. 22, 2020. He was 67. He believed heaven would be a beautiful place. Barry had no living relatives. He never married nor had children. The love he received came from Novant Health Hospice & Palliative Care and the skilled nursing staffers who cared for him since February.

About the sweetest thing that ever happened to Barry came a few months back. During COVID-19, a parade of cars was organized for skilled nursing residents. No one came for Barry. For the next parade of cars, hospice chaplain Kathy Turner attached a “We Love You” sign to her minivan and honked for Barry. He stood outside, waving back.

Barry was born and raised in Charlotte, the middle of Ralph and Margaret Sams’ three children. He graduated from West Mecklenburg High School. He worked in computer operations for banks. He enjoyed listening to classical music. He suffered from bipolar disorder. It shaped his life, as it does the lives of 5.7 million other Americans who suffer, often in undeserved shame.

You know the paragraph in obituaries in which the deceased has designated a charity to support in his memory? Let us remember Barry not with the gift of money but the gift of kindness for others, especially the lonely and the hurting.

Barry didn’t ask for this obituary. Ken Garfield, a writer who took an interest in him near the end, felt called to tell his story. Funeral home director Ken Poe was gracious enough to share Barry’s passing on his website.
Everyone’s life is worth celebrating. Everyone has something to teach us in death. That includes Barry Sams, who had no family and suffered from mental illness, but who got out of bed every day, no matter the pain, smiling

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. 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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Comments

  • Amber Berryman

    Oh My!!! Today is your birthday and I am just learning about this. I am so sad!!! Thank you for always helping me, always being my friend, always being there for me. You have been nothing but AMAZING!!!! I love you so very much and will miss you dearly. I know you are up in heaven playing the piano with momma, I know she missed you so so much! I can't believe Fluffy is still kicking but I am glad to hear she is doing great. RIH Barry

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  • Louise Sheyda

    Barry and his mom were a part of our lives; however, after his mom died we got separated. I talked with him a week or so before he died, and he told me how special it was that Ken Garfield took an interest in his story. I, too, would like to thank Ken Garfield. I had planned to visit but had no idea his death was so near. He knew Jesus as his personal Savior, so we can have the assurance that he is now in heaven with his mom and dad. I'm sorry we didn't know about the parade because there are a group of us from Calvary Church who would have been there for Barry. Thank you for this brief story of Barry's life!!

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  • Megan Currie

    Rest in Peace, Barry. We are family and I, along with my family, am saddened to just now learn about his death after years of wondering about his whereabouts and trying to reach him. Barry's life mattered. His life truly made a difference in his family's life. I have vivid memories of Barry behind a piano at our family gatherings. His musical talent was unmatched. Whether it was a song he was playing or a joke he was sharing, Barry was often the life of the party. He was the central focus of every room he entered. He provided joy and comic relief even on the hard days as we grieved the loss of people dear to us. His sense of humor was one of his best gifts to us and the way he brightened the world around him, in spite of the darkness he faced personally. He had the rare gift of story telling and invited everyone into the stories he told. When he talked, people listened because you just never knew what he was going to say next. For his life, I give thanks. Barry's presence is missed and will continue to be missed by me and his family.

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  • Donna Steed

    My husband, Roger Steed, Barry's cousin, and I have just learned of Barry's passing. Barry was loved by his extended family very much. He was a kind man, who played piano beautifully. His family did love him and he was included in family gatherings. His mother our dear Aunt Sister and father our Uncle Ralph were loving and caring and Barry cared for both of them until their death. After his mother's passing Barry was on his own and had made new friends. We did not know about his health or whereabouts. We are heartbroken to just learn of his passing. We pray God holds him close with Sister, Ralph, and other family in heaven. Rest in peace.

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  • Carmen Ensminger

    My old buddy from 1st grad to the late 80's. Rest in piece, no more pain, no more sufferings. Fly high.

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  • Naomi

    Thank you so much for letting the world know about Barry. I did not know him but every human has a story that matters.

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  • Barbara Paige

    Love Barry and Margret an Ralph.They enjoyed coming to the BeautySalon every week and laughing and talking to everyone. I tried to find out where he was an noone know .So sorry he passed alone.He love his Lord.

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  • Sandra Walker

    So sorry Barry that you ended up alone. That bipolar disease can be so cruel. Life can be so hard but it sounds like you were around some good people at the nursing home. I still have Fluffy and she is a great kitty. I know Ms. Margaret is praising on the streets of heaven that her baby boy is with her. Rest In Peace my friend.

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  • Renee Boatwright

    Awww my dear friend we were just talking about you at Thanksgiving wondering how u were doing me an all the boys had a great Thanksgiving this year. I was with you the whole time when you're momma was passing away. We missed you so much sorry to hear this about you know I would've been there for you I went thru so much with you over the years. I love you man we are gonna miss you dearly

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  • Jo Pesta

    Sounds like a nice man. Go in peace. Thank to those of you who cared.

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