Samuel Jefferson Humbyrd entered God's heaven on December 17, 2008. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1928, Sam and his family later settled in Ava, Missouri. He taught school at Patterson and Goodhope Schools before marrying and moving to Michigan. He worked as a Safety and Security Supervisor at Dow Chemical Company for many years before returning to Ava in 1998. Sam is survived by his former wife, Alberta Brake Humbyrd; his children, Gary Humbyrd, Danny Humbyrd, Nancy Hull, Carol Humbyrd, and Judy Wright; and his sisters, Rosa Carvella and Lucille Sanders. Sam attended Ava General Baptist Church and will be dearly missed by family and friends, particularly his faithful McDonald coffee buddies. The funeral will be held on December 19th at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava at 3:00 P.M., with visitation from 1 till 3 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ava Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Gideons International, or the Options Pregnancy Clinic.

On-line condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.