Minister Samuel Rayam, Sr.

Birthplace: Jennings, FL; Hamilton County Parents: Oscar Rayam Sr. & Roberta Rayam Alpha: 09/10/1934 – Omega: 10/04/2023

Primary Education: Bellville, FL School System
Furthered his Education: He attended Construction Technical Trade School & Ministerial School in FL

Residence: Resided in Bellville FL for 17 years, lived in the state of New York for about 10 years, then became a residence of Ocala, FL for over 38 years. Later on he resided in the state of Georgia for the past 25 years. As his health began to fail he returned to Ocala, FL to live, where he was surrounded by his loving family.

Religion & Church Affiliations: At an early age he became a member and lead the quartet group in hymns and songs at Oak Grove MBC under his father Rev. Oscar Rayam, Sr. Bellville, FL. He later attended Welcome Stranger BC Ocala, FL where he continued to sing & lead the Choir, while serving as Deacon for over 20 years. In 1990 he was Ordained as a Minister & became the Associate Pastor of Elizabeth BC, Belleview, FL. His ministry continued at Mt. Carmel PBC, Ocala, FL. He rested his membership at Mt. Olive PBC and served as Minister, Jennings, FL.

Life Story: He was a Minister, Construction Foreman, Heavy Equipment Operator, Cement Finisher, and Owner & Operator of his own Construction Company. After retirement he continued to work providing lawn care services to local residence of GA and FL. His work is displayed throughout Florida in the many Roadways, Bridges, and Parking Lots that are used for safe passage by hundreds of thousands of people a year. His hard work went into building County Court Houses, Shopping Malls, and Churches throughout Florida. In the early 60's he met and married Viola Sermon, and God blessed them with seven Children. Later in Life he married Areatha Williams Pierce, during their union, he gained five Stepchildren. They both enjoyed eating at the "Farm House" in Lake Park, GA and spending time with family & friends. Minister Rayam loved teaching and preaching the gospel wherever he went, he was one of God's advocates. His biggest legacy is his family, he taught them from an early age about the word of God. He was a man of faith, integrity, and a provider, hard worker, but most of all a loving father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

He was proceeded in death by: Spouse; Areatha Williams Pierce, Parents; Oscar Rayam Sr. & Roberta Rayam, Brothers; Ishmeal Handy Rayam, Oscar Rayam, Jr., Oliver Rayam Sr., Sisters; Evelyn Heyward, Louise Rayam Gibson and Doris Mae Richardson, Stepdaughter; Rosa Mae Mitchell.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories:

Children: Wallace Williams (Marilyn) of Ocala, FL, Gloria Lewis (Curtis)of Gainesville, FL Samuel Rayam Jr. of Ocala, FL, Will Rayam (Tonya)of Fayetteville, NC, Victoria Coles (Frederick)of Ocala, FL, Roberta Rayam Gadson (Greg) of Ocala, FL, Shirley "Tywannia" Rayam of Ocala, FL, and Lydia Rayam of Valdosta, GA.

Grandchildren:

Curtis Lewis Jr. (Jocelyn), Gentana Alejandro (Devon), Shantana Lewis, Rina Weems, Cyprenia Cabarris, Shakeia Rayam, Markus Rayam (Brooke), Ashli Rayam, Meagan Young, Antonio Perry II (Sabrina), N'Kosi Perry, Jaymar Jones (Jaime), Chasity Rayam, Demetria Zimmerman (Corey), Shameka Worley (DW), Delvon Williams, Keondra Bostick, (Brandon), and CraeAndre; Twenty-Five Great Grand Children and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends.

Brothers: Augusta Rayam (Sarah) of Bellville, FL, Edward Rayam of St. Petersburg FL, Booker T. Rayam, of Sandford, FL, Matthew Rayam (Rutha Mae) of Jennings, FL.