WINSTON-SALEM Reverend Joseph Roland Samuels Nov. 26, 1924 - July 28, 2012 Reverend Joseph Roland Samuels a native of Anderson, SC was born November 26, 1924. He is the second eldest of fourteen children born to the late Reverend William E. and Beatrice Samuels. Reverend Samuels peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the age of 87. Reverend Samuels was educated in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School system. He graduated from Atkins High School where he was an outstanding football player. He furthered his education at Winston-Salem State University. Reverend Samuels was the first black truck driver employed at R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. His father was the founder and pastor of Mars Hill Baptist Church where Reverend Samuels was the Superintendent of Sunday School. Reverend Samuels was called and installed as pastor of St. Stephen Baptist Church in 1958. The church grew to over 1,500 members. During his tenure, the church name was changed to St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. Under his leadership God blessed the church with a new edifice. Reverend Samuels served as the senior pastor for forty-nine years and oversaw thirty-three ministers. Additionally, eleven associate ministers have been called to pastor churches in the surrounding communities. He is known throughout the area for leadership and spiritual mentoring of preachers and pastors. In addition, he pastored Friendship Baptist Church in Cooleemee, NC for 20+ years. In 1994 Reverend Samuels was recognized by Shaw University as Pastor of the Year and in 1996 he was recognized in Who's Who among Baptist Preachers. In 2003, the city of Winston-Salem named a street in the new residential development (Canaan Place) J. R. Samuels Drive. Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Jr. hosted Holding on to our Heritage: "A Celebration of Pastoral Service" in 2004. Reverend Samuels was among forty-one preachers from the community that was honored for 20 or more years of pastoral service. This was the first time such a tribute occurred in the City of Winston-Salem. Not only was Reverend Samuels a recipient of this honor, he was the keynote speaker. Reverend Samuels is preceded in death by a brother, Pastor Philemon Samuels; and a son, Joseph Samuels, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Samuels of the city; four sons, Ralph Brown of Redondo Beach, CA, Samuel (Cynthia) Brown, Timothy Brown and Jonathan (Trenia) Samuels all of the city; a sister Mary Lee (Carnell) Simington of Minneapolis, MN; four brothers, James (Olene) Samuels, Roosevelt Samuels, Benjamin (Jackie) Samuels, all of the city, and Timothy (Cynthia) Samuels of Kernersville, NC; grandchildren, Samuel Jr., Jonathan, Antwon, Odasia, and the love of his life Heaven; three great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Gloria Samuels; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the St. Stephens church family. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, August 4, 2012 at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3, 2012 at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. Online condolences can be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com (RUSSELL)