July 13 Steve would have been 70.  In his memory we ate his favorite food, Mexican.  The kids chose to go to Senor Donkey restaurant in South Padre Island. They felt the name was fitting. 
Love and miss Steve everyday.

For Poppy’s grandchildren:
•SARAH •JOSEPH •ABBEY
In case you have wondered how Poppy will get to Heaven...
THE COMING OF THE LORD
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not proceed those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of demand, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1Thessalonians 4:13-18. ESV Bible
Love to you all.

My husband and best friend left this world 4 years ago today. Not a day goes by that something doesn't remind me of him.  Married 45 years; so many memories.

Remembering my friend, Steve, and his family. 2018

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Psalm 116:15
EVS Bible

Steve has been gone three years and I miss him as much today as the day he left. I watch the accomplishments of our grandchildren and wish he were here to be part of their lives. I know he would be ecstatic with every "A" on their report cards, with every scholarship received, every band concert and football game.  He loved us all so deeply and it is lonely without him.

Everytime I think of Pastor Jack Countryman....I think of Steve Samford! His sermons at First A/G, Humble...were always a defining BLESSING! TO EVERYONE PRESENT! PTL! (Steve was always welcome!)

Tim Barker, Superintendent of South Texas Assemblies of God, said that Steve was Face Book before there was Face Book.

Granddaughter Sarah Smith wrote on Father's Day: Happy Father's Day to the best Poppy a girl could ever have. This is the first Father's Day without you and I don't like it, but I know that you are in a better place watching over me. I love you to the moon and back a million times and miss you so much!

steve was my poppy he encouraged me to do great things, he helped me walk trough those bumps in the road, he left something for everyone to share, the great memories and stories all of us will remember for eternity, but he left is the greatest thing we all cherish, his unconditional love

There were many names that identified Steve...Honey, Daddy, Poppy, Christian, Pastor, Teacher, Counselor, Friend, Helper, Servant, Uplifter, Son, Father-in-Law, Brother, Uncle, Cousin. For me, Steve was my best friend's husband. As the years passed, he became my own friend. He was knowledgeable about so many subjects, and he never forgot anything he read about or saw. 

From the booklet, BEHIND A FROWNING PROVIDENCE, by John J. Murray, I will share selected quotes:

"Providence is an old fashioned word and has a strange ring to modern ears. Yet when we break it down into its parts, the meaning becomes clear. It comes from the Latin video 'to see' and pro 'before', meaning 'to see beforehand'. In our lives we plan beforehand but we do no see what is going to happen. God has planned everything for His creation and because He is the sovereign God, everything will come to pass as He purposed. Providence is that marvellous working of God by which all the events and happenings in His universe accomplish the purpose He has in mind.

It is one thing to know about God; it is another thing to know God. Many Christians can testify that they have learned more about God in the furnace of affliction than in all their previous experiences. Sufferings can bring a new dimension of fruitfulness into our lives. It can produce a new gentleness and a tenderness.

Sufferings drive us to God. We set out in service thinking God needs us. We soon find out that we need Him. 'When God lays men on their backs, then they look up to heaven', says Thomas Watson. We cry to God for blessings but we do not really want Him. He has to teach us that HE is the greatest blessing of all.

My love to Donna and Family...

I met Steve in 1992. He was the pastor of Wendy’s (who I was dating at the time and later became my wife) church. She invited me to attend with her. While I had no desire to ever enter a church again, I did desire to know her better as we were just beginning our relationship. I said, “Sure, I’ll go.” God is so funny when you consider who or what He will use to fulfill His plan for your life. That Sunday, He used Steve Samford to pierce my heart and change my life forever. The Holy Spirit, through Steve’s preaching, came into me and I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Steve became my Pastor and, very quickly, close friend. He was there through the highs and the lows that are life. He was unflinching in his support and encouragement and I have never been, nor will I ever be, hugged like I was when Steve wrapped his big ol’ arms around me a lifted me off the ground.

He was there at the foundation of my Faith. He was funny (oh, was he funny), and he was the most fearless man I’ve ever met. He lived his life to its fullest and he understood a concept I am still learning today; it’s not about “busy-ness,” it’s about relationships. The last few years, I allowed the busyness to get in the way of maintaining communication with Steve. It was to my detriment that we didn’t speak more often. Hearing the stories yesterday of those who were there these last few years with him made me realize the importance of the special relationships in our lives and not letting life get in the way of staying connected. While it could be regret, I choose to let it be a realization that now I must act upon.

He was an example to all who knew him of how to run the race and fight the good fight of Faith. He took the time, did the deeds, and, as evidenced yesterday, made a huge impact for the Kingdom of God. Duane Samford’s quote, “He didn’t have to have two to give you one” really stuck with me as the example of the selfless life Steve lead. My life is better, happier, and richer because of Steve Samford. I do now feel a responsibility to make the changes necessary to honor the man he was. We will all be better for it if we strive to make the kind of impact like Steve did on the many lives around him.

I’m so happy that he is experiencing the reward that awaited him in Heaven. But I am so sad for the rest of us who have to go on, temporarily, without his physical presence. We do have the knowledge and confidence that we will see him again and, along with the multitudes I saw yesterday at his memorial service, I can’t wait for that reunion.

We have known Steve before he and Donna were married. He was always a character, very funny and always playing jokes on others. Steve helped us through a rough time in our marriage which has lasted 45 years now. Steve was our Pastor for several years and I believe he equipped us and sent us out to become elders at our next church. We will never forget Steve, we love him dearly and his lovely wife Donna, my husband Kenneth's cousin and their 2 girls, Tammy and Trena. There are many things Steve imparted to us and we are grateful he was in our lives and we will miss him. We know he is happy in the streets of glory but our hearts are heavy with our loss. Steve will forever be in our minds and thoughts because he is an unforgettable guy!

Much love, Kenneth & Patsy Colvin

One thing that death does not take away from us...is the memories of Steve Samford. Steve has always been there for the Worsham Families. Our Son Patrick was hospitalized with cancer...and Steve did not miss a day visiting and praying for Pat. Pat was healed and today is 60 years young! PTL!

First Bow and Arrow I ever pulled the string on was in Steve's back yard on DeBoll St. ..guess what? Bull"s Eye on my first pull. Next time I tried I couldn't even pull the string back.

His humor and his ministry has always been a stepping stone for our ministries. He has often been imitated, but never duplicated. He will be missed, but Heaven will be blessed as Steve now is spending eternity with Christ.

Thank you Pastor Steve Samford for touching our hearts in your very special way. May the Love of God in Christ Jesus comfort his precious wife and families during this time.

Naomi and I send our LOVE.....Isaiah 40:31

This man had a profound impact on my life.

Although I can't say we were ever "close" he was still a big influence of my formative years. I was raised in church so I've always considered myself Christian, however it wasn't until attending Bethesda that I felt the holy spirit wash over me! What a wonderful feeling!

I was pre teen, and i still I hung on every word of each sermon. What a gift this man had. He exuded spirituality in my eyes. Plus he played the guitar! Lol.

I am coming up on 30 now and I have not found another pastor to teach the word as well as pastor Steve. He was a wonderful man, and a great warrior for god. He will be missed.

- Ashley Poston

I met him once when he married my daughter to Ryan Porter. He was a very nice man. You could tell he loved the Lord. My deepest sympathy and love for his family. Your lost is heavens gain.

This wonderful man was my uncle, he was the baby brother to my grandfather to which I never met due to his passing before I was born.
He told me once that he would play that role of grandfather in my life and in my sisters and he did.
He always was there, always kissess and hugs and always joking and playing with us,he made me so happy.
I will miss him deeply and always carry him in my heart. I love you Ucle Steve!