Sampson "Sam" Knuckles, age 73, passed away peacefully at home in Racine on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. He was born in Tyronza, Arkansas on June 26, 1947 to the late Joseph and Odesser (nee: Burns) Knuckles, Sr. Sam professed his faith as a Christian at an early age and was baptized at Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church in Tyronza, Arkansas. He was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Racine.

Sam was a Special Olympics superstar who earned many medals over the years. He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, basketball, running track, fishing and making latch hook artwork. On October 17, 2002 Sam was hired to join the team at Lee's True Value Hardware. His job was the center of his excitement, daily. Sam rode his bicycle back and forth to work with such joy and would often make several stops, along the way, to talk to others, as Sam never met a stranger. Sam became family at the hardware store and worked tirelessly until recently being diagnosed with cancer. He was previously employed at Color Arts and Good Will Industries, both of Racine.

To cherish his memory, his brothers and sisters, Sammie (Emma) Smith of Oxford, Ms, Jonnie B. Knuckles of Oakland, CA, Louise Smith of Racine, WI, Ora Gray of Racine, WI, Carey (Cheryl) Knuckles of Evansville, IN,; Earl Knuckles of Racine, WI, Ruby (Louis) Buckingham of Antioch, CA, Classie West of Racine, WI, Dorothy (Willie) Burnett of Anniston, Al, Altoria Edwards of Racine, WI, Jeff Knuckles of Racine, WI, Odesser (Greg) Maxie of Vallejo, CA and Harvey Knuckles of Quimper, France; uncles, Rev. Alfred (Fannie) Burns of South Carolina, and Dan Burns of Racine, WI; aunt, Edna (Aaron) Baker of San Leandro, CA; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, Lee's True Value Family and the Special Olympics Family, and beloved neighbors & friends – too many to mention all by name.

Sampson was proceeded in death by his parents, Joseph and Odesser Knuckles Sr., sister, Emma Knuckles; brothers, Deacon Joseph Knuckles Jr. and Rev. Tommie Lee Knuckles; sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Knuckles, Elizabeth Smith and Fabian Knuckles; and brothers-in-law, James Gray, Bill West, Sr., Charles Edwards Jr. and Nathanial Smith; aunts, Alma Farrow, Altoria Naylor, Dorothy Bowman and Julia Ellis; Mae Jessie Burns, Margaret Burns and Minnette Burns; uncles, Calvin Naylor and Carey Burns; nieces, Sheila Knuckles and Katrina L. Edwards; nephews, Michael Knuckles, Robert Knuckles, LC Knuckles, and Rueben Buckingham.

PUBLIC viewing & visitation will be on Friday, March 26, 2021 in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home from 8:00 am – 10:00 am. PRIVATE family services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.  You may witness the service via livestream on Friday at 11 am by clicking on the link located in Sam's obituary on the funeral home website.

A heartfelt note of thanks to all of Sam's family at Lee's True Value Hardware, Sue Henry and the entire Special Olympics Team – we thank you all for many years of love & support. We also thank Aurora Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Centers of America & Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care given in Sam's time of need. May God bless all of you!

Service Details

PUBLIC viewing & visitation will be on Friday, March 26, 2021 in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home from 8:00 am – 10:00 am. PRIVATE family services will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.

PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW THE SERVICE LIVESTREAM ON FRIDAY AT 11:00 am : https://youtu.be/kAoPPyTJ2Zw