Rev. Dr. Sammy M. Stabler, age 94 of Centre went home to Jesus on Saturday March 21st 2015.
Celebration of his life will be 7 PM Wednesday March 25th at Perry Funeral Home Chapel with his grandsons, Rev. Mark Adams, Rev. Don Woolley and Mr. David Stabler officiating. The Interment will be at 11 AM Thursday at the Gordo City Cemetery in Gordo, Al. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:30 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers include Skip Adams, Ricky Adams, Lisa Stabler, Scott Stephan, Bill Scroggins and Danny Chestnut. Honorary Pallbearers are his 14 great-grandchildren and his 4 great-great-grandchildren, or as he called them “His Legacy of Love”, also present and retired members of the North Alabama Conference, members of Centre FUMC, staff of Cherokee Village Assisted Living Facility; Facility, Staff of Cherokee Medical Center, especially nurses, Heather, Christy, Sherry, and Terry; Dr. and Mrs. Brian Perry and Southern Care Hospice.
Survivors include son, George S. (Margaret) Stabler; daughters, Anita S. (Jimmy) Adams, Bettye S. (Doug) Eubanks; grandchildren, David (Laura) Stabler, Lisa Stabler, Skip (Cindy) Stabler, Ricky (Stacey) Adams, Mark (Rosemary) Adams, Amy (Don) Woolley and Jennifer (Scott) Stephan. 14 Great-Grandchildren; 4 Great-Great-Grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Mr. Stabler was preceded in death by his wives, Juanita R. Stabler and Catherine C. Stabler, his parents William M. and Annie M. Stabler, one brother and 3 sisters.
Rev. Dr. Stabler was a member of the North Alabama Conference for 70+ years, serving churches all over North Alabama. He retired in 1985 and moved to Centre, Alabama, but he continued to be in ministry in some capacity until January of this year. He was a “shepherding pastor” and next to winning souls for the Lord, he loved taking care of his flocks. He lived his life based on the following statement that he used so often “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day”. He loved the Lord with all his heart; he loved the United Methodist Church and he loved his family. He has fought the fight and has won the battle.
Rev. Dr. Stabler was also very involved in the communities he served by being members of the Civitan Club, Rotary Club, and Lions Club as well as being a Mason and Shriner.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Centre First United Methodist Church.
Perry Funeral Home Directing