This memorial was created in Loving Memory
of our Precious Daughter and Beloved Sister
Samantha Joy Sullivan. Who was born in South Carolina
on November 6,1984. And was carelessly killed on
November 5,2000 at the age of 15,the day before her
Sweet 16th Birthday.
We will remember her FOREVER!!!!



Saturday November 4,2000, a big day in Sam's life.
Her Sweet 16 Birthday Party.
Everything was planned. The only thing left,was to
decorate the building. Sam was so....happy and excited
that morning. Although she was already overflowing
with happiness from getting her licence the day before
(Friday November 3,2000)
It was a beautiful party. Around 10:00 most people started
to leave. Sam wanted to sit up town with her boyfriend,
Jeremy and her friends. That was fine since I was up there
anyway. I only wish I had told her to come home 30 minutes
earlier. Because I had only been home for about that lengh
of time when I heard about the wreck. 

Sam and Jeremy were on their way to take someone they
believed was sick, 20 miles away. At the time we had
no rescue team in our little town(which sucks) because if
we had ONE and other things didn't happen the way they
did, things would have been different.
 
SammyJo did what she believed in her heart was right.
"OH Sam why didn't you OR Jeremy call me? Or someone!"
Jeremy was driving at a high rate of speed and then a truck
turned in front of them. WHY did he do this? I will never have
all the answers to my questions!!!! Noone talked that night
and they're still not talking!!!!

The man in the truck was NEVER charged nor will he
ever BE!!!! Thanks to the police officers on the scene!!!!
One of them left the department. I never found out where
he went or why. But anyone can put two and two together
and know why.
As forJeremy and Erin, their lives were spared.
Our Precious SammyJo,after being ejected was hit and ran
over by Jeremy's car.
We never got to see SAM, to kiss her beautiful face,
to hold her in our arms one more time to Say Goodby!!!! 

Help me keep my precious daughter's memory alive by liting a candle before you leave. THANKYOU.

The cross painted on the Highway is long faded
But that night is permently painted in my mind
FOREVER!

When I held you in my arms that night,
I wish I had held you tighter
and never let you go.
If only....I had known!

When I kissed your check and whispered
"I love you",
I didn't know it would be the last time
I would hold your face close to mine.
If only....I had known!
When I watched you walk away,
I wish I had called you back and never
let you go.
If only....I had known! 

Samantha,I LOVE YOU! So MUCH!!!!
My heart hurts and aches with pain
I MISS YOU SO.............................!

Please visit Samantha's other websites

And please sign her Guestbooks
Thankyou

http://www.sam15.bravehost.com

http://sammyjo.bravehost.com

http://forevermissingsam.bravehost.com

http://missingsam.piczo.com

http://samsplaceofangels.tripod.com/ 
Email me if you would like your Angel added

A Special Angel
There's a special angel in Heaven
That is a part of me.
It is not where I wanted her,
But where God wanted her to be.
She was here just a moment,
Like a night time shooting star.
And though she is in Heaven
She isn't very far.
She touched the hearts of many,
Like only an angel can do.
I would've held her every minute,
If the end I only knew.
So I send this special message
To Heaven up above.
Please take care of my angel,
And send her all my love
~ unknown ~

AN ANGEL YOU ARE... ~SAMANTHA JOY~

In the tiny patter of raindrops outside the window,
In the beaming sunshine after the rain
In the rainbow on its majestic trip to heaven,
You are there - Sam

In the little troubles we face each day
In making our life unimaginable without your presence
In the tiny surprises of each day
You are there - Sam

Your smile, your laugh, your love and your light
Shines through all of us as never before.
Our steps are measured and guided because
An Angel You Are - Sam

Thankyou Lisa!

They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without
Winter comes & the snow may fall,
But if you look carefully you will see
Tiny Angel footprints in the snow ~ can you see. These tiny footprints are there just so you know, When you close your eyes & think of me,
I will be there in a split second for you to see.
This is my way of letting you know
I am still around, for all to see
Because you all loved me so.
That is why,
I have come back to let you know,
I am safe in the arms of the Angel
Who is craddling me.

The Angels
Did the angels come from heaven
To help you through that night
Did they feel your terror
And take away your fright
Did the angels bear the pain
That was being done to you
Did they hear your cries of fear
And stay to help you through
Did the angels hold you tightly
The way I would have done
Did they know how I would feel
And wish they were the one
Did the angels cry out loudly
For the unjustness of your plight
Did they call Lord Jesus
And lead you to the light
Did the angels softly kiss your cheek
Before you took your leave
Did they remind you how I loved you so
And forever more I’d grieve
Did the angels whisper in your ear
Don’t worry you will not go alone
Did they know part of me when with you
The day God called you home 







Samantha

I thought my world had ended the day
that I lost you
I felt no reason to go on but then thought yes I do.
I have a family and my friends that mean
so much to me
And I want the world to know your lovely memory.

You know I love you very much and I miss you so
You're such a lovely daughter and I'll never
let you go.
I hold each memory in my heart and forever
they will stay
I'll remember you with loving thoughts
each and every day.

Now you're in Heaven with beautiful gossamer
wings
With splender and peasefulness that our Lord
brings.
Although our hearts are broken our love will
never cease.
Knowing you're with our Lord brings our hearts
some pease.

You're free to sour through Heaven and the skies
above
Remembering friends and family with your
precious love.
One day we'll be together when our souls are free
Seperated never more for eternity.

(This poem was written for Sam
by a wonderful lady, Diane)
Thankyou!
http://jeannehouseofangels.com/samantha.html


Taken Approx. 3 hours and 20 min.
before our Precious Daughter
was carelessly killed
10 hours and 40 min
Sam would have been Sweet 16

My Life Was Stolen

My life was stolen,
gone in a flash
You all will NEVER know all she was to me.

My life was stolen
yes it was.
You all see me breathing,talking,
sleeping, but I
swear to you I'm gone.

My life was stolen.
Don't you see?
Without my Sammy
whole I will Never be.

My life was stolen with
that truck,
My life devastated,
without any luck.

My life was stolen
can't you see?!?
Without my Sammy
I'm barely a small
fraction of who I used to be.
written by holly

      The pain fills my today and tomorrows,
the loss of a child is the most painful of all sorrows.
I struggle to find the strength to face another day,
I look at pictures, remember her face. fall on my knees and pray.
I hear the same question over and over in my mind: Why?
I hide my face in my pillow, think of my Sam, heart breaking as I cry.
I seach for answer from books as well as from God above.
I try to reach out to friends, for comfort and for love.
My arms once held this wonderful little girl,
Oh, what I wouldn't give for just one more day of joy.
How could I have known that she would leave before me?
This just isn't the way LIFE is suppose to be.
I will keep working through this new experience of grief. 
She will always be my sunshine, though her life was too brief.
I don't know how long this journey could last,
I try to look to the future, but long to stay in my past.
As time goes on I pray the pain will become familiar to me
until I can join my daughter Sam, for all eternity.

Made by:Dawn Michael'sMom
http://michael-luteljr.memory-of.com

 
   Thankyou Quinn so very much!!!!






                                                                
    Sammy and Me

You and I started bonding from the very start
I looked into you beautiful eyes and you stole my heart.
I knew from that moment that it was meant to be
That we would always be together, my Sammy and me.

We started our lives together in nineteen eighty four
And as I gazed into your face, I couldn't love you more.
My little baby daughter grew into what should be
A beautiful young lady, that's what Sammy was to me.

I knew your future was so bright, a life so full of love
But God stepped in and called you home to Heaven up above.
My life I felt stopped that night, the future would not be
But I will hold all the memories of my Sammy and me.

Now you are an angel with wings so you can soar
Fly my angel through the skies til we meet at Heaven's door.
The day will come when we will be together for eternity
We will fly the skies together, my Sammy and me 
             
 Written by: 
 Dianne
May God Bless You!
http://www.jeanneshouseofangels.com/Sammyandme.html 

            



        
    
 
 

                     Some days I just pretend that you're not gone.
     Then other days, I feel I can't go on.
    People say it's time to let go and start my life
      without you. 
     But I'm weak and I don't know what to do.
       God! How long will the pain last?
      How many tears have I already cried?
     It seems just like yesterday that my world fell apart,
     When my lil SammyJo died!!!! 
 

     This is Sam's little teddy
 She slept with it every night,
 Now....I can't sleep without it.

     Hold your loved ones close! 
Don't let a day go by  without telling them 
just how much you love and care for them! 
There are so many Families out there
that are not close.I am so glad my Family is close.
There are a lot of hugs and I love you's everyday.
That's just the way we are.
After losing Sam though, I still feel I could have said more
and done more.
     

        I found this poem,I thought I would share it with you.
..........................................................................................................

   Tomorrow Never Comes

    IF I KNEW IT  WOULD BE THE LAST TIME 
THAT I'D SEE YOU FALL ASLEEP, 
I WOULD TUCK YOU IN MORE TIGHTLY 
AND PRAY THE LORD,YOUR SOUL TO KEEP.
    IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME 
THAT I SEE YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR,
I WOULD GIVE YOU A HUG AND KISS 
AND CALL YOU BACK FOR MORE.
    IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME 
I'D HERE YOUR VOICE LIFTED UP IN PRAISE,
I WOULD VIDEO EACH ACTION AND WORD,
SO THAT I COULD REPLAY IT BACK DAY BY DAY.
    IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME,
I WOULD SPARE AN EXTRA MINUTE OR TWO 
TO STOP AND SAY"I LOVE YOU",
INSTEAD OF ASSUMING,THAT YOU KNOW I DO.
    IF I KNEW IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME,
I WOULD BE THERE TO SHARE YOUR DAY,
BUT I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE SO MANY MORE,
SO I CAN JUST LET THIS ONE SLIP AWAY.
FOR SURELY THERE'S A TOMORROW 
TO MAKE UP FOR AN OVERSITE,
AND WE ALWAYS GET ANOTHER CHANCE 
TO MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER DAY
TO SAY OUR "I LOVE YOU'S" AND CERTAINLY 
THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE TO SAY OUR
 "ANYTHING I CAN DO'S?"
 BUT JUST IN CASE I MIGHT BE WRONG,
AND TODAY IS ALL I GET,I'D LIKE TO SAY 
HOW MUCH "I LOVE YOU" 
AND HOPE YOU NEVER FORGET.
TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED TO ANYONE,
YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE,AND TODAY MAYBE 
THE LAST CHANCE YOU GET TO HOLD 
YOUR LOVED ONES TIGHT.
SO IF YOU'RE WAITING FOR TOMORROW,
WHY NOT DO IT TODAY?
FOR IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES,
YOU'LL SURELY REGRET THE DAY.
THAT YOU DIDN'T TAKE THAT EXTRA TIME 
FOR A SMILE,
A HUG,A KISS AND YOU WERE TOO BUSY 
TO GRANT SOMEONE,WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE 
THEIR LAST WISH.
       SO HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES CLOSE TODAY,
WHISPER IN THEIR EAR,
TELL THEM HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM 
AND THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS HOLD THEM DEAR.
       TAKE THE TIME TO SAY "I'M SORRY",
PLEASE FORGIVE ME. "THANK YOU" OR "IT'S OKAY." 
AND IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES,
YOU'LL HAVE NO REGRETS ABOUT TODAY.

One of Sam's favotite Hymn's
   Amazing Grace

 Samantha and her Daddy 1998
       At our Daughter Crystal's wedding


Also made by Dianne(Thankyou) 

 A DAD'S GRIEF
It must be very difficult
to be a man in grief
since men don't cry and men are strong
no tears can bring relief.

It must be very difficult
to stand up to the test
and take the calls and visitors
so she can get some rest

They always ask if she's all right
and what she's going through
but seldom take his hand and ask
"My friend, but how are you?"

He hears her crying in the night
and thinks his heart will break
he dries her tears and comforts her
but stays strong for her sake

It must be very difficult to start each day anew
and try to be so very brave
He lost his baby too. 
-Anonymous-
         

         Not long after we lost Samantha, 
       a  friend of my oldest Daughter wrote  
         a song for Sam. "I'll See You Again"  
  Shortly after it was put 
   on their newest CD.
 Thank You! Ricky & Beverly

    "I'LL See YOU AGAIN"  
" Verse" #1
I can still remember you as though you were
standing here. Your smiling face your warm embrace,it's all so very clear.
And though the pain is hard to bear,
I know what I must do. 
By holding to the Father's hand,
He'll lead me straight to you.
  "Chorus" 
I'll see you again and we'll walk hand in hand.   
To share the home prepared for you and me.
I'll see you again and this time it won't end.
I'm holding on, it won't be long til 
I see you again.
 "Verse" #2
I know I may not understand just why you
had to go. But there are things in my life
not meant for me to know.
As I struggle through my tears, I'm starting
now to see. The Father cares enough to ask
where will I spend eternity?
 "Chorus" 
I'll see you again and we'll walk hand in hand
To share the home prepared for you and me.
I'll see you again and this time it won't end.
I'm holding on, it won't be long til I see you
again.

Sad are the hearts that loved you,
Silent are the tears that fall,
Living our lives without you,
Is the hardest part of all!!!! 

       Forever 15
   Sweet Daughter of mine
  The years go by
  But in my heart
   You will always be
   Forever 15 
 
  On the night God took you
   I thought I would die!
  I wondered where the time went?
  I asked alot of whys??
 With people all around me
 I felt alone inside
  From all their words of comfort,
       I couldn't see to hide.
   I thought I might be dreaming
  That I'd wake and find you here,
   I thought"This can't be happing!"
   As I wiped another tear.
 On the day you were laid to rest
    My heart broke yet again,
 I wondered if the pain would end,
   But mostly I wondered when??
       It's hard to be without you
    At times the days seem long
     Sometimes I just sit crying.
When their's really nothing wrong.
     I wish we'd had more time,
    Before your life was done.
I hope you are resting peasefully
My  
precious one.

     Forever Sisters  
Sam
Missy
 Crystal 
 Miranda

Sisters

I may not be by your side like I used to be
But I'm forever in your heart when you think of me.
I'll always cherish the bonds that kept us near
For to me, my sisters, you are so very dear.

Although I am in Heaven, my heart is filled with love
And I still watch over you from my new home up above.
Sisters have a special bond that nothing will ever break
So think of me with happiness , not with heartache.

There will come a time that we will meet once more
We'll walk around Heaven, just us sisters four.
Until that time please live your life as best as can be
Fill your heart with all the good memories of me.

I'm happy here in Heaven, for I am flying free
Angels are all around and keep me company.
Until the day we meet again, in Heaven I will wait
And when it's time to see me, I'll greet you at the gate.

Written By Diane

You were a tiny Blessing we could not wait to meet, A miracle from God above to make our family complete. And Oh how you were pampered right from the start. You were loved with all our hearts. Everyday we considered you a special gift and counted memories one by one. We cherished every moment and we want you to always know how much real joy you brought into our lives. We love you so....

Love, Mama & Daddy


A Letter From Aunt Sam

I'm writing you this letter
From my home in Heaven above.
To Josh,Matt, Anna and Alli
I'm sending you my love.

For my nephews Josh and Matt
Your Aunt Sam misses you.
And to sweet Anna and Alli
I love and miss you too.

I'm so proud to be your Aunt
You're as precious as can be.
And even though I'm in Heaven
You mean the world to me.

Watch for signs that I send
Signs that you can't miss.
Like a breeze on your cheeks
Will be my angel kiss.

A butterfly with wings of gold
Flying high above.
Will be sent by your Aunt Sam
Just to bring you love.

And if you hear the wind at night
No need to wonder why.
For it will be your Aunt Sam
Singing you a lullaby.

My darling nieces and nephews
Remember who I am.
For I will always be
Your loving Aunt Sam.

Poem written for my daughter by Dianne
http://www.jeanneshouseofangels.com/
http://jeanne_ketcham.memory-of.com 
To see this poem with music, go to
http://www.jeanneshouseofangels.com/Auntsam.html   
 



 If Tears Could Build A Stairway

 If tears could build a stairway
and memories were a lane
We would walk right up to heaven
Ang bring you back again.
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why
Our hearts still ache in sadness
and secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one will ever know
But now we know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store
Since you'll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A cherished place within our heart
Is where you'll always stay 



Beyond

How do I see beyond the pain?
Jesus show me how
I cannot see the future
All I see is now
Take this pain and turn it
Into a precious stone
Please give my life a purpose
Until you take me home.
The path along the valley,
is full of dark despair,
sometimes I feel the heartache
is more than I can bear
Oh! Jesus bring me comfort
Your neverending pease
That comforts me,and helps to
 bring the brokenness to cease.


The Angels are always near to those
who are grieving,
To whisper to them that their loved
ones are safe in the hands of God.
~Eileen Elias Freeman~


I Will Remember You

When I look out over the ocean
A place you loved to be
I will remember you

The times we cried
The times we fought
The times we laughed
I will remember you

Your hopes,your dreams
What you wanted to do
And what you wanted to become
I will remember you
 
How you brushed your hair from your face
How you walked and the smell of your perume
I will remember you

The gleam in your eyes when you were happy
Your laughter,Oh so loud and sweet
Your beautiful face and big loving smile
I will remember you

Always in my thoughts,my precious memories
Always in my heart and soul FOREVER!
I will remember you!

Forever Sam's Mama
(2-13-05)


Dear God
Dear God,please let me know you are holding Samantha in your arms
Something I long to do with all my heart.
Please let me know that you kiss her goodnight, tuck her in and say
"Sleep Tight,I love you."
Something I will never be able to do again.
Dear God, please tell me you were by her side
as she lay on that cold wet pavement that night.
Did she call out my name? Did she suffer?
Please God,I have to know! And please God tell me why she had to go!
Dear God,please tell me, my SammyJo is again whole.
This is something I cannot bare!
Please tell me she is as beautiful as she was when I watched her walk
down the path away from me.
Dear God, please help me find a way to go on
and take the anger from my heart.
Please God help the ones who were in the wrong,
that someday they can come to me with two small words,"I'm sorry."
Then maybe I can somewhat begin to heal
from that anger in my heart.
Dear God,tell me I did the right thing when I set him free.
For I thought this was what Sam would want.
She loved him with all her heart and for that I loved him too.
Please God, tell me he loved her back just as much
and the rumors are not true.
I cannot live like this anymore,not knowing the truth.
The pain is hard enough to bare without my precious Sam.
Please Dear God, put just a little light at the end of the rainbow,
just for me!

Every year in April, our town has a festival "The Bethune Chicken Strut."The festval committee(a non profit organization) has set up a scholarship award in loving memory of our daughter. This award was set up by the committee to be awarded during the local festival pageant. Samantha,or Sam as she was known to those that knew her and loved her,was the reigning 2000 Junior Miss Chicken Strut Queen. The scholarship honors her memory by awarding the essay winner of the pageant a $500.00 scholarship/bond to assist in college education. The essays are based on what being crowned the new Miss Chicken Strut Queen means to them. The scholarship is now awarded in the thirteen and up divisions. Also a plauque in Sam's Loving Memory is given.As the festival grows,so will the scholarship award.

This year the Scholarship was raised to $600.00

To see the plaques go to:

http://sam15.bravehost.com/memorials.html

   Mama did you think of me today?
Mama did you cry?
Mama I know that it is hard for you
And can’t understand why
Mama please don’t be angry with God
It was time for me to leave
I know that there are questions
And answers you can’t believe
But know Mama I’m okay
And never left your side
Can you here the things I say?
Can you find the things I hide?
The only thing I cannot take away
Is the pain that your heart feels
So I asked the Lord for just one wish
To help your heart to heal
He told me to think carefully
About what I could say or do
To show how much you mean to me
And how much I miss you too
I thought of all the little things
That used to make us laugh
I thought of all the prayers you have
Just to have me back
I knew just what my wish would be
It was there in front of me
A beautiful Dove God had gave to me
To show me of his love
I whispered to the Dove
I told him how to find you
I placed him on a rainbow
So Mama when you think of me
And cannot bare the pain
Look for the gift I sent you
And allow my memory to remain
I am in every laugh you have
In every hug you share
I am the one who knows your soul
And want you Mama to let go
Take with you the memories
Of the life you made
And remember I never meant to
Cause you so much pain
So when you need to feel my touch
Or to know I’m still there
Find the gift I sent from above
And see in it all my love
When you see a feather on the ground
Know that I am still around….

"Thankyou Darla"

There is a Christmas Stocking
hanging,In Loving Memory of
Samantha at
memorialstockings.html