Samuel Arthur Oates

June 10, 1925 – December 26, 2019

Service

Saturday, January 4, 2020
Family Visitation: 10:00 A.M.
Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M.

Galilee Primitive Baptist Church
917 Sevier Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Internment
Mount Ararat Annex
Shelbyville, Tennessee

Samuel Arthur Oates was born in Shelbyville, TN on the 10th day of June 1925 to his late parents, Samuel and Amanda Oates. Samuel was the youngest of six children and was educated at the Bedford County Training School in Shelbyville, TN. He then served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II for four years.

He relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended the Carver School of Business where he met his beautiful wife Malinda Taylor. From this union, five sons were born.

Samuel was employed for ten years at Frankfort Supply Company, and when that company closed, he worked for the City of Philadelphia Water Department as a Number 2 Meter Mechanic. He worked until retirement with twenty years of service. Samuel Oates was a committeeman in the 17th ward in Philadelphia, PA. He worked closely with City Councilman David Cotten. Through this connection, he was able to help the community residents with jobs, food give-a-ways and have a relationship with local law enforcement. He helped keep teens from going to jail. Samuel also started a cleaning business; he had a contract with H.V.D. Samuel hired neighborhood teens to teach them work ethics and pride. Sam didn’t make a profit from this business. He operated the business for 16 years. Samuel was an excellent gardener and family historian. He told the same stories over and over to make sure you would remember.

He was a man of faith and started his Christian journey at the age of 14 and became a deacon at the Highway Temple Church of Love in 1985. He was a faithful deacon of Thompson Grove Baptist Church for the past 17 years where he was the second oldest member.

He was a wonderful husband, father and son-in-law. He had a special love for both his father and mother-in-law, James and Lila Taylor.

Samuel was preceded in death by his son, Samuel A. Oates, Jr.; and siblings, Ruby Oates, Milton Oates, Lula Oates Thompson, Hattie Oates Gregory and Anna Mae Oates Ramson.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Malinda Oates; his beloved sons, Jerry A. Oates (Shara), David Oates, James Oates (Theresa) and Daniel Oates (Carrie). Arthur and Malinda help to raise two grandsons, David Oates, Jr. and James Oates, Jr. He leaves a host of grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.