Samuel Lee McIlwain departed his life Wednesday, June 1, 2022 peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. Mr. McIlwain was born to the late Mary McClain McIlwain and Christopher Columbus McIlwain on January 12, 1949 in Forsyth County.  Samuel was a graduate of Atkins High School Class of 1969 and member of The Diplomats Social Club. He was inducted into the Atkins High School Hall of Fame-May 2014. He retired from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. after 30 plus years, was a bus driver for WSTA, YWCA Best Choice Center, and WSFCS for a short term.  Samuel was a recipient of the ESTEEM Award of Distinction for Community Service.  Samuel, also known as "Coach Sam", touched several lives that sojourned through our local Pop Warner Football, Youth Basketball Association (YBA), Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Basketball Association, and North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).  He was a member of Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church where he was a faithful member. Samuel carried many names, such as "Uncle Sam", "Coach Mac", "GodFather", "Grand Daddy", but most importantly, "Daddy"!

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary McIlwain; his father, Christopher Columbus McIlwain; his wife, Cheryl (McIlwain) Scales; and three brothers, James Edward McIlwain, Sr., Columbus Lee McIlwain, Sr., and Willie (Mary) McIlwain.

Sam leaves to forever cherish his many memories his lovely daughter, Nykia Stinson Ingram; his sons, Antonio (McKenna) Bennett and Andre' D. McIlwain; three beautiful granddaughters, Nyhanna E. Covington, Dionah D. Howell, and Koi N. Ingram; two brothers, Rodger (Sandra) McIlwain and Timothy (Jamie) McIlwain; three sisters, Pamela (Ronald) Teeter, Peggy (Gene) Carpenter, and Annette (John) Martin; and a host of faithful family and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, June 10, 2022 at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.  Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm Friday at the Church.