Samuel Riley Kendall, Sr.

Samuel Riley Kendall, Sr., 91, of Valdosta, died on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at his home. A native of Valdosta, Mr. Kendall was born on March 2, 1921, the son of the late William Pinckney Kendall and Mabel Clyde Bolton Kendall. As a child, Mr. Kendall attended Adair Street School. He was a 1937 graduate of Valdosta High School. He graduated from North Georgia College in Dahlonega in 1939 and the University of Georgia (LLB) in 1951. Mr. Kendall enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 serving until 1946. He was stationed at various places around the world including El Geneina Air Field, North Africa, Ilo Ilo, Philippines, and in Korea following the Japanese surrender. He met and married his wife in Baltimore, Maryland and towing a tiny house trailer they headed to law school in Athens, Georgia. Following graduation he practiced law in Valdosta with Judge Glenn Dickerson before being recalled to active duty in the Army. He served as Legal Liaison Officer at Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan, assisting troops headed for the Korean Conflict. After Mr. Kendall was honorably discharged as a Captain in the reserves, he returned to practice law with Cam U. Young. He later began a career in land surveying until retiring in the 1990's. Mr. Kendall was an original member of and remained active in the Valdosta Camp of The Gideons International, established in the 1950's. He was a member of Grace Bible Church. He was also an original and longtime member of the board of The Mailbox Club. He was a past member of the Georgia Bar Association. Samuel Riley Kendall, Sr., will be remembered as a loving, faithful husband, father, and grandfather who lived his life for family and his Lord.
Survivors are his wife of 66 years, Ella Margaret (Butch) Kendall of Valdosta; daughter and son in law, Edie and Doug Robertson of Jacksonville, sons and daughters in law, Bill and Nanci Kendall , S. Riley Kendall, Jr., Stephen Paul and Jennifer Kendall all of Valdosta; a sister, Lamar Kendall Altman of Valdosta, grandchildren, Scott Robertson of Jacksonville, Florida, Kent and Rachel Robertson of St. Louis, Missouri, Kellie and Chuck Sayers of Valdosta, Heather and David Schultz of Jacksonville, Kayla Kendall of Valdosta, three great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends. Mr. Kendall was preceded in death by his brother, William P. Kendall and sisters, Clyde Lester and Vanelle Anderson.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Pastor Rick Hofmeister will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6 -8 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Gideons or to the Mailbox Club. Condolences may conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602