Jerry Wayne Samford, 89, of Center, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2020, in Nacogdoches.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. Rev. Malcolm Monroe will officiate.

Born November 22, 1930, in Center, Mr. Samford is the son of the late Jeff E. Samford and Corine Hughes Samford.  He served in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Major.  He later retired after 35 years as a State Farm Insurance Agent.  Mr. Samford was a member of Center Flying Club, Center Noon Lions Club, and First United Methodist Church in Center.

He is survived by his children, Jeff E. Samford and wife Joanna of Georgia, Sharon Samford Wilson and husband Rick of Hallsville, Terry W. Samford and wife Penny of Austin, and Sandy Samford Wheeler of Center; grandchildren, Jeffery Samford, Dawn White, Jeremy Lansford, Elizabeth Houston, Angie Tyler, Ashley Jane Samford, Chris Wheeler, Nic Wheeler, and Whitney Wheeler; great grandchildren, Devon Tucker, Natalie Woodell, Maggie Samford, Everett Samford, Jayden Lansford, Owen Tyler, Brody Tyler, Canaan Houston, Lively Wheeler, Ariella Wheeler, Selah Wheeler, Lilah Wheeler, Rhett Wheeler, Cecil Wheeler, and Josie Wheeler; also, numerous other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Raymond Samford; parents, Jeff E. Samford and Corine Hughes Samford; brother, Jeff E. Samford Jr.; and grandson, Matthew Lansford.
Pallbearers will be Nic Wheeler, Jeffery Samford, Jeremy Lansford, Rick Wilson, Jeff Samford, Chris Wheeler, Terry Samford, and Chris Houston.
Memorial donations may be made to organizations dear to his heart – Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708 and American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75231, www.heart.org.

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com