REV. DR. WILLIAM SAMUEL RANDOLPH

The Rev. Dr. William Samuel Randolph, 88, husband of Doris Alford Randolph, and son of the late George Randolph and Dorothy Thompson Randolph, was born on April 23, 1935, in Anderson County. He departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence.

A graduate of Morris College, he was pastor emeritus of First Baptist Missionary Church after serving 47 years as pastor. He served as president of Brown Lawson Housing Development Corp., the operating entity for Shiloh-Randolph Manor.

He was the owner-operator of Randolph General Construction Co., where he built and renovated many facilities and churches including First Baptist Missionary Church.

He was instrumental in leading the civil rights movement in Sumter, being arrested 11 times. His court case, State of South Carolina v. Willie Sam Randolph, was pivotal in charges being dropped for several civil rights activists.

He served the citizens of Sumter as city councilman from 1987-2008 with 19 years as mayor pro tempore.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Doris Alford Randolph; two daughters, Elder Belinda Randolph and Elder Felecia Robinson; one son and daughter-in-love, Pastor Cedric and Omega Randolph; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five sisters; and three brothers.

Public viewing will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at O.R. Reuben Chapel, Morris College, 100 W. College St., Sumter.

Dr. Randolph will be placed in the church for viewing at 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, at First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 S. Washington St., Sumter, with Pastor George Windley Jr. officiating and Pastor Cedric W. Randolph, eulogist.

Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park, Sumter.

Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuaryinc@gmail.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.