Samuel Olcott Abney Obituary

Our beloved Samuel Olcott (Sam) Abney, was born on July 12, 1949 to the late Sam M. Abney and the late Annie L. Abney. He was the first of four children born to this union. Sam transitioned to eternal peace on August 11, 2021 following an extended illness. His sisters Kanadier (Kandie) and Shirley preceded him in death. Sam was also preceded in death by daughter, Sundie Washington.
Sam was educated in the Aiken County Public School System having graduated in 1967 from Aiken High School where he was the first African American graduate to cross the stage. Sam was also the only African American male in his graduating class. Sam attended Aiken High for only one year; however, he was a trailblazer. Because of his athletic abilities on the football field, Sam became known as "Sling Shot Sam", starring on the Green Hornet football team as a quarterback under the tutelage of South Carolina Hall of Fame coach Jim Fraser. He was also a member of the Aiken High basketball team as a guard. Although Sam attended but did not graduate from the historically Black Martha Schofield High School, his heart and love was always with this institution where he established life long friends, excelled in sports, and played football under coach James A. Taylor, namesake of the James A. Taylor Student Activities Center at Aiken High School. While confronting and overcoming many racial challenges during that time, Sam developed a passion and dedication to humanity by working with and encouraging socially disadvantaged children and adults to become successful. Sam furthered his education at South Carolina State College (SCSC) having received an athletic scholarship that afforded him the opportunity to follow in his mother's footsteps and become an alumnus of this distinguished Historically Black College and University (HBCU). He loved being a SCSC Bulldog and was frequently in attendance for the annual homecoming activities. Sam was employed at the Savannah River Site (Aiken, SC) in Operations for a brief period; however; his lifelong commitment was genuine care and concern for others .
In this regard he committed himself to a life of service starting out as a counselor at the Aiken County Detention Center when it was housed at the old Aiken Air Force base. He later became a Juvenile Placement Officer and After Care Counselor for the City of Aiken. In 1990, Sam relocated to Baltimore, MD where he continued his passion for teaching coaching and mentoring young adults. He began employment as a Program Manager with the Woodbourne Center; a not for profit organization dedicated to providing psychiatric services to youth with behavioral and emotional issues. Continuing his passion for service to others, Sam accepted a position with Goodwill Industries in 2016 as an Employment Specialist where he developed a model training and career development programs. Sam was recognized and rewarded for his outstanding service and contributions to Goodwill Industries including awards for Employee of the Month as well as Employee of the Year in 2016 and 2017. He also received various service awards from Associated Black Charities, Inc. and other organizations for his dedication to Workforce Development. Sam received his Master's Degree in Education from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD in 2011. His passion for encouraging and assisting others afforded him the opportunity to utilize his expertise as an administrator with Baltimore City Public Schools as Principle of the Francis Woods Alternative School and with Johns Hopkins University as an Employment Consultant. Sam loved his "home town" of Aiken, where he was a member of the Second Baptist Church , past member of the Aiken Jaycees, past member of the Aiken Chapter of the NAACP and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Sam leaves to mourn their loss and cherish his memory: his devoted wife Rosita Moses Abney; brother COL (Retired) J. C. Abney (Ava) of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Rita Davis; granddaughter Shala Dickerson; great- grandson, Damond Malloy; niece Camryn M. Abney; sister-in-law Lolita Jackson; brother-in-law DuWade Moses (Ivy); devoted life long friends John "Littleman" Wilson, George E. Dawson, Walter "Big Mitch" Mitchell, Johnny Jones and Alphonso Baltimore and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Jessamine Memorial Gardens, 625 Allison Street, Aiken, SC 29801. Friends may visit JACKSON-BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, 126 Fairfield St., SE, Aiken, SC 29801, 803 649 6123 Friday, from 5-8 PM.