Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Relative, and Friend

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV).

On Sunday, August 1, 2021, Samuel Raymond Divine, Sr. left his earthly citizenship for his heavenly one.  He leaves to celebrate his life and grieve with hope, his wife of 45 years, Genevieve; his children, Samuel, Jr. (Ty), Samantha (Zilabeteh), Sidney (Shantell), Samaria, honorary son Edward Singbeh, and honorary daughter Tatiana Divine; seven grandchildren; his siblings, Dr. Patricia Divine-Jackson, Mr. Immanuel C. D. Divine (Ruth); his aunts Angeline Darwin (Phillip) and Judge Luvenia Ash-Thompson and a host of relatives and friends.  These are his final words to his friends and loved ones.  

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On February 20, 1953, I arrived on North West Avenue in Brewerville, Liberia, to the union of Reverend John L. and Mrs. Susan R. Divine.  I was blessed to have supportive and loving parents who shaped my life by their faith in Jesus Christ, their love for education, their sacrificial giving, and their commitment to the community.  My parents blessed me with invaluable discipline, more frequently than I approved, and a joyous environment for humor building with siblings, relatives, and friends.

My family extended on May 22, 1976, when I married Genevieve Sims and began a journey that built upon the lessons my parents taught me.  Marriage was the pinnacle of my adulthood.  I thank Genevieve for faithfully having and holding me through the better days, the worse days, the richer seasons, and the poorer seasons of our 45 years of marriage.  I especially thank her for loving and cherishing me in sickness and health, until death parted us.  

Genevieve and I are blessed to have a treasured legacy in our children and grandchildren.  I thank our children for not making us shame.  I leave with no regrets regarding the sacrifices we made to contribute to their success.  I pray that as they evaluate my life—in ways only they and Genevieve can—that they will choose to emulate my good traits and avoid my bad ones.

As fulfilling as my family life has been, the gift of an education afforded me a chance to have a professional and entrepreneurial career.  Education was a gift pursued amidst long walks in the rain, with well worn shoes and wet socks that smelled by the time I arrived to class at Ricks Institute.  It was also a gift to finally find my “calling” at the University of Liberia, after earning the name “the runaway man” for switching majors several times before receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with a Math minor in 1975.  I continued my pursuit of education and in 1982 I received my Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Industries, summa cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

My education adequately prepared me for the professional roles I held.  I worked at Citibank, NA (Liberia) as a vacation student, a Senior Clerk, and a Management Trainee. I worked at the National Bank of Liberia as a Senior Clerk in the Investment and Debt Service Department. And, I worked at the Agricultural and Cooperative Development Bank as a Credit Officer, an Officer in Charge, an Operations Manager, a General Manager, and a Vice President.

Additionally, my experiences equipped me for the entrepreneurial endeavors that came. In 1992, I founded Liberian United Bank, Incorporated and served as its first President and Chief Executive Officer.  I thank the Liberian market women, my Aunt Luvenia Ash Thompson, and the many others who made that title both possible and humbling.

I also started Lelay Incorporated as a car rental company and later reorganized the corporation by expanding its services to financial and legal consultancy and acquiring an agency for MoneyGram International Money Transfers Services in Liberia.

I then established Sam & Gene Enterprises, Inc. and developed a twenty-four hour money transfer service from the United States of America to Liberia and to the Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana, while providing shipping services between the United States of America and Liberia. I thank everyone who ever patronized or promoted our businesses.  

My professional, and entrepreneurial, success came second to the opportunities to serve the community that shaped me.  I had the honor of serving as a Member of the Executive Board of Managers for the Liberia Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention and the Board of Trustees for the African Methodist Episcopal University.  Moreover, I served as the Liberian Bankers Association’s President, the Ricks Institute’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the John L. Divine Memorial School’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the Kendibar International Insurance Company’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  But, my fondest position held was being a Deacon of Salem Baptist Church in Brewerville, Liberia.

After a  life well lived — with blessings, achievements, and parties — I’ve checked out.  A sweet chariot swung low and took SRD over the Jordan River.  But before my body embraces “ashes to ashes and dust to dust,” I leave you my most heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for granting me the joy that came with being your husband, father, grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, in-law, and friend.  The journey has been worthwhile because of all the generosity you’ve shown me over the years, especially in my illness.  You allowed me to leave this world as I came into it—supported and loved. May God richly bless you!

***

You’re invited to submit video tributes at Samuel Divine's Online Memorial & Obituary | Keeper or written tributes at https://www.tribute.co/samuel-r-divine-sr/.  Due to the current pandemic and limited seating at the funeral service we encourage friends and loved ones to watch the homegoing ceremony at https://www.levettfuneralhome.com/live-stream/south-dekalb-chapel on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 3:00 pm EST. 

The Homegoing Service

Viewing

Friday, August 13, 2021 from noon to 8:00 pm 

Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory

4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034, USA

Mask required. Limited seating due to COVID restrictions. 

Funeral Service 

Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 3:00 pm

Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory

4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034, USA

Mask required. Limited seating due to COVID restrictions.

Repast 

Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Community Achievement Center Inc

4522 Flat Shoals Pkwy, Decatur, GA 30034, USA

Mask required. Limited seating due to COVID restrictions.

Private Interment