Samuel Martin Millette, Jr.

Moss Point, Mississippi

January 15, 1952 - November 21, 2023

Sam is lovingly remembered by his wife of 47 years, Carolyn (“Lynne”) Crutcher Millette of Destin, Florida; his son, Samuel Martin Millette, III (Clare Smith Millette) of Jackson, Mississippi; his daughter, Lindsey Millette Bryant (Brett Allen Bryant) and their children, Adelaide Cerveau, Bennett Allen, and Beckett Beau of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; his brother, Kenneth Gorman Millette (Melissa McLeod Millette) of Charlotte, North Carolina; his (adopted) son, Prentiss Junior Williams of Gautier, Mississippi; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as the various members of his cherished “chosen family” and his very “good girl” – his chocolate Labrador, Mocha. His infectious smile will also be missed dearly by the many friends he made on the sidelines watching his favorite team, the Ole Miss Rebels. Sam was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Martin Millette, and his mother, Sue Riggan Millette, of Charlotte, North Carolina; and numerous loyal canine companions.

Born on January 15, 1952, Sam entered the world busy and remained so for 71 extraordinary years. Sam graduated from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1970, and headed South to begin college at the University of Mississippi. It was at this time Sam found the two greatest loves of his life – his beautiful bride, Lynne, and the Ole Miss Rebels. The years that followed presented many milestones for Sam as he graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration, married his true love Lynne, earned his general aviation pilot’s license, joined the Civil Air Patrol, and became a proud and dedicated father to his children, Martin and Lindsey.

After their college days, Sam and Lynne moved to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where Sam worked for the family business, Millette & Associates Insurance. However, in 1984, the pair moved their family to Jackson, Mississippi, after Sam enrolled in Mississippi College School of Law to follow in his father’s respected footsteps. In 1987, Sam earned his law degree and gained employment at the esteemed law firm later to be known as Scruggs Millette Bozeman & Dent, P.A., in Pascagoula, Mississippi. After a remarkable legal career, coupled with a wealth of memories from his time in the Mystic Krewe of Doo Dah, Sam happily retired. He lived out many golden years together with Lynne, splitting time between their two favorite places – the gorgeous beaches of Destin, Florida, and welcoming city limits of Oxford, Mississippi - home to their alma mater.

Yet, for all who knew and loved Sam Millette, his legacy is not anchored in his own merits, as commendable as his achievements were. Rather, his memory lives on in the hope he made possible for so many others. As a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, Sam humbly embodied the heart of a servant, and he always remained faithful in God’s divine providence and the promise of Heaven. He loved unconditionally, expecting nothing in return. He honored his parents, as commanded, and never lost sight of their positive influence on his life. In recognition of his father, Sam established the Samuel M. Millette Faculty Support Endowment in Business at Ole Miss to provide for faculty needs such as salaries, recruitment, and program enhancement. Named after his mother, Sam founded the Sue Riggan Millette Scholarship at Mississippi College School of Law, which is awarded annually to an outstanding law student in the challenging pursuit of obtaining a law degree, all while raising a family.

Together, Sam and Lynne kindly gave back to the University that gave them so much, whether it be as charter members of the University of Mississippi Athletics Foundation’s Vaught Society, generous capital improvement donors, life members of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, members of the Lyceum Society, or as an inductee to the University of Mississippi Law School’s Lamar Order. They were an incredible team and demonstrated eternal thanks for their blessings through compassion and philanthropy.

The bounds of Sam’s charity are unknown, as Sam never sought recognition or applause in exchange for his giving. It was his honorable calling to do what was good and right – every time. There is no doubt that his unwavering smile and quiet generosity changed the course of many lives. It was a privilege to be loved by Sam, and what he called his “family” was defined not only by blood and name, but by commitment and heart. Although he stood shy of 6 feet tall, he was a giant nonetheless, and we thank him for the massive impact left by his life, his love, and his legacy. Whether it be as a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a godfather, a chef, an attorney, a Rebel, or a friend – Sam made us all better simply by being Sam.

For nearly 50 years, Sam dutifully watched the skies as an avid pilot and aviation enthusiast – a passion Sam and his brother, Ken, adopted from their father, and Sam passed down to his son, Martin. In homage to this discipline, Sam’s earthly body made a ceremonial “final flight” home on Tuesday, arriving in Mississippi on November 28, 2023. Yet, we do not dismay, as our dear pilot has now earned his Heavenly wings and will continue to soar in the glory of his eternal dwelling place until we meet again.

A funeral mass will be held in honor of Sam Millette on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi, with a reception to follow. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Moss Point, Mississippi, and on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, prior to mass. As a respectful nod to Sam's loyalty to the University of Mississippi, the Millette family will dress in red and blue at the visitation, funeral mass, and reception. The family invites all to join in this tribute and don the colors of Sam’s beloved Ole Miss Rebels at the services.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff and medical team at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, for their dedicated care during Sam’s final weeks and to our chosen family member, Rachael Goodwin, for her steadfast support to us all during Sam’s illness, and for admirably escorting Sam home to his final resting place in Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ole Miss Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Campus Ministry, P.O. Box 1476, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, https://my.fca.org/?form=msolemisscampus; or Young Life, P.O. Box 2452, Oxford, Mississippi 38655. If donating, please note that the contribution was made in memory of Sam Millette.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Heritage Funeral Home, locally owned and operated in Moss Point/ Escatawpa, MS, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Samuel Martin Millette, Jr.

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