Sammy "Sambo" Lansdell

Sammy "Sambo" Lansdell, 68, a man of devotion to God and family met his Lord and Savior face to face after passing Wednesday evening, January 17, 2018, at his residence in Saltillo after a sudden illness.  He was born April 30, 1949, in Tupelo, to M.H. and Clara Mae Williams Lansdell.  In his younger years, he worked at Todd's Big Star, worked a while for Penn Tire and for a number of years part-time with 45 Auto Parts. In 1969, he began a 48 year career in funeral service with W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors where he helped so many families of the Tupelo/Lee County area. He was a senior director for most of his tenure at Pegues and was also company manager for over 10 years. He had an avid love for restoring old cars and was especially proud of his "57 Chevy” he and his son spent over 8 years restoring. It won the “Carrol F. Bryant” award at the Blue Suede Cruise in 2012 for best car in show. Sammy loved attending the annual  car shows in Pigeon Forge with his family and friends.

He was a charter member of Faith Baptist Church in Saltillo and was instrumental in helping organize the church. He served as Deacon at Faith Baptist Church and previously at First Baptist Church-Saltillo. For many years, Sammy was actively involved in Baptist Lay Ministries and had preached at Baptist Churches throughout the region. He was also very active with Lay Renewals in numerous Baptist Churches in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

His grandchildren's favorite place was sitting on "Bo Bo's" lap looking at his tractor books with him. Sammy was the anchor of his family and the best part of his wife's life for 46 years.

Survivors include Wife, Alma Lansdell of Saltillo; one daughter, Kelly Phillips and her husband, Wade of Saltillo; one son, Clay Lansdell and his wife, Lisa of Saltillo and four grandchildren, Anna Brooke Lansdell of Saltillo, Kayleigh and Braylon Phillips of Saltillo and Zack Summerford of Tremont; three brothers, Herman Lansdell and his wife, Debbie, Sidney Lansdell and his wife Joan and Billy Lansdell and his wife, Rhonda; brothers-in-law, Charles Browning, Doug Browning; sisters-in-law, Bettie Manning, Marie Scruggs, Sarah Graham, Mae Clark and Margie Harris.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Christine Betts and Margaret Purvis and one brother, Cecil Lansdell.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday, January 19, 2018, at W. E. Pegues in Saltillo.

Services will be 11:00 am Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the Saltillo Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Rex Yancy and Dr. Phil Ellis officiating. Burial will be in Saltillo Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be J.C. Robbins, Rex Haygood, Wade Phillips, Clay Lansdell, Jerry Smith, Ed Montgomery and Tony Rodriquez.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sidney, Herman, Billy Lansdell, Cindy Holcomb and Wendy Howell .

The service will be live streamed and recorded for those who may not be able to attend at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .