Samuel Davis Swann

On Thursday, March 28th, Samuel Davis Swann of Lakeland, Florida took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven. He is survived by his wife Teresa Swann of Lakeland, Florida; 4 brothers: Greg and Jeff Pipkin and Charles and Mark Catinella, of Lakeland; 1 sister, Denise Dansby of Lakeland; 1 son, Aaron Swann of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 1 daughter, Kristen Coverdell, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma; 1 grandson Taylor Looney, and 4 granddaughters, Danika Swann, Paisley Coverdell, Harper Coverdell, and Meadow Coverdell of Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Fountain, his father Curtis Pipkin, and his stepfather, James Swann, all from the Central Florida area. Sam was born on March 5th, 1953, in Lakeland, Florida. He spent his early years in Winter Park and Lakeland and graduated from Lakeland High School in 1972. At age 21, Sam entered the US Army, was deployed in Germany as a radio operator and served until 1977. Some time after, he spent 4 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working for TD Williamson. In 1985, Sam returned to Lakeland where he worked through most of the 90s for the City of Lakeland, Nutrifoods, and the Coca Cola company, until he started his own painting and home improvement business. January 12th, 2003, Sam stepped into Victory Church. Fully intending to slip out at the end of the service, Sam found himself down at the altar of forgiveness, and that night, he found Christ. It was there that he began a walk of faith with Jesus. Sam had made the leap from hopeless to hope-filled, and he was determined to let his light shine. Eventually, that light caught the attention of Pastor Teresa Bullard, Victory’s Kid’s Club pastor. Sam and Teresa were married on April 25, 2009, and they began a tender and enduring love story. Sam was a caring, sensitive, compassionate servant, and he partnered with Teresa to impact a generation. Some of the kids in their ministry called him “Shepherd Sam” and others called him “Mr. Sam.” Though he was only around 5’ 5”, to the children and teenagers who came through the Kids Club ministry, or the Dream Center of Lakeland, Sam was a strong, larger-than-life influence. Over the last 10 years, Sam and Teresa had many wonderful adventures; on numerous mission fields, in Kids Club, in Circle J, at the Dream Center of Lakeland, and so much more. Sam Swann’s coronation service will be on Monday, April 8, 2019 at Victory Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Take Heart Project. All funds that will be given on Sam’s behalf will go towards a compassion House, “Sam’s House of Compassion”. A house for widows’ children and other children to receive a nutritious meal every day. A place of refuge each day to hear about God’s Love and experience it. If you choose to take part in this UNFINISHED BUSINESS, Follow the steps below: 1) go to the Take Heart Website: https://takeheartafrica.org/ 2) click on (Donate Now) 3) Under the category that says “ where would you like these funds designated? Type in “Sam Swann” or “Sam’s House of Compassion” Visitation will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. and the service will begin at 6:30.

Samuel Davis Swann

March 5, 1953 - March 28, 2019