Samuel B. Cann Jr.

Samuel B. "Sam" Cann, Jr., 86, of Abbeville, husband of Sarah G. Cann, died Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at his residence. He was born in Lowndesville, SC to the late Samuel B. and Jessie Mae Campbell Cann, Sr. Sam Cann, as most people called him, was first and foremost a family man-a man that loved his family and large extended family including his many nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Sharon High School. Sam served in the United States Army serving in WWII in the 83rd Infantry Division. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart and Bronze Star awards for his bravery and service to his country. Sam retired from the Abbeville Police Department as a Sergeant after 12 years of service to the City of Abbeville. Following his retirement from the City, he was not finished with public service. He then retired after 12 years as the Abbeville County Sheriff from 1974-1986. Sam served two terms on the Abbeville County Council, one of which he served as vice-chairman. He was also committed to his church, South Side Baptist Church, where he and his wife have been members for many years. Sam was also very community minded serving in various clubs and organizations such as the American Legion; the VFW Post 3; the Abbeville Historical Society; the Abbeville Cattlemen's Association; the Lion's Club; SC Sheriff's Association and the SC Law Enforcement Officer's Association. Sam was a Mason member of the Clinton Lodge #3 AFM. He was also awarded several awards throughout his lifetime, two of which was, the Lion's Club Lion of the Year from 1990-1991 and the Law Enforcement Officer of the year in 1980. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers; four sisters and a son, Samuel B. "Butch" Cann, III. He is survived by his wife of 65 years of the home; a son, Michael M. Cann and his wife Jana; two daughters, Deborah Ayers and her husband Jimmy and Olivia Crawford and her husband Jimmy all of Abbeville; a daughter-in-law, Jeanette Cann of Abbeville; eight grandchildren, Sam B. Cann IV and his wife Angie of Abbeville, Larry Cann and his wife Dea of Simpsonville, Brad Ayers and his wife Melissa of Knoxville, TN, J.R. Crawford and his wife Tiffany of Goose Creek, Jonathon Cann, Sharon Crawford, Jennifer Ferguson and her husband Sam, and Brittany Cann all of Abbeville; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday, January 18, 2008 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 2:00PM Saturday, January 19, 2008 in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Earl Hartley officiating. Burial will follow with Military and Police honors at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family is at the residence of Olivia and Jimmy Crawford. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request memorials to be sent to the Hospice Care of South Carolina, 103 Pickens St., Abbeville, SC 29620 OR to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 566, Due West, SC 29639. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Cann family.