Samuel Owen Broadnax - Obituary

Deacon Samuel Owen Broadnax was called home to eternal rest on the afternoon of August 6, 2018, after an extended illness. Deacon Broadnax was born to Walter Boyd Broadnax and Alphine Yeates Broadnax (both deceased) on May 16,1930, in Norfolk County (now Chesapeake), Virginia. He was the youngest of our siblings--Elmira. Geraldine, and Walter George, who all have gone on to be with the Lord. Deacon Broadnax was the only child born in Chesapeake in his mother's dream house on their family-owned farm. He attended elementary school in Joliff, Virginia, and graduated from I. C. Norcum High School in Portsmouth. At the tender age of 18, DeaconBroadnax was drafted into the Army, and served from 1951 to 1953. He credited the military with teaching him order and discipline. In 1954, Deacon Broadnax attended Norfolk State and received a degree in Industrial Education. He matriculated to Howard University in Washington, DC, where he majored in Electrical Engineering, but was only able to attend for two years under the GI Bill. After leaving Howard University, Deacon Broadnax began a career at the Post Office, where he started as a clerk. He was introduced to his future bride, the former Miss Lillian Robinson, by a coworker who coincidentally was her aunt. Deacon Broadnax and Deaconess Broadnax married on December 29,1963. Out of this union, two daughters were born: Adrienne in 1964 and Monica in 1966. Deacon Broadnax's spiritual upbringing provided a strong foundation. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at a very young age, and always fondly remembered walking with an old man in his neighborhood to church. Deacon Broadnax and Lillian joined The Greater First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant Plains in 1964, where they both have faithfully served. Deacon Broadnax was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Elevator Ministry, conceptualized and maintained the monthly Birthday Board, and tutored students in mathematics. He was voted "Father of the Year" in 1974 by the Sunday School Ministry, and was ordained a deacon in November of 1981. He was treasurer of the Deacon Board, and visited the sick and shut-in to serve them communion. Deacon Broadnax considered himself a committed Christian, knowing and showing that love and service to others was the way to edify the message of Jesus Christ. The Bible says in I Corinthians 3:13, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." Deacon Broadnax's work ethic started at a very young age, when he sold peanuts outside of the Norfolk Naval Base in Portsmouth. Tomatoes were his first successful crop as a child, and he sold his produce at the Norfolk Market where people would be waiting to buy from him because his were the best around. His love for gardening was evident in the beautiful tomatoes, vegetables and flowers he grew and cared for year after year. When his coworkers at the Post Office or fellow worshipers at church saw bags of tomatoes, they knew that Deacon Broadnax was sharing his bounty! Deacon Broadnax retired from the Postal Service as a manager in April 1989, after 32 years of service. His postal career and his retirement didn't stop him from using his many talents for his family, church family, friends & neighbors. He used his farming experiences & education to repair vehicles, roofs, plumbing and wiring. His love of learning allowed him to ace the Prince George's County exam so that he could wire the sunroom that he built onto the family home. He also loved photography - taking pictures at family events & of new church members - without charge. With the discovery of the computer, Deacon Broadnax produced his own greeting cards and DVDs for events he filmed at church. Deacon Broadnax was a loving husband, a devoted father, a caring grandfather, a beloved family member, and a faithful friend. His legacy of service and dedication will always be remembered. He leaves to treasure his memory his cherished wife of 54 ½ years, Lillian; his daughters, Adrienne Broadnax and Monica Robinson; his granddaughter Arianna; sister-in-law, Lois Broadnax (Walter George), his nephews: Geary Broadnax (Allison), Bartholomew Broadnax and Walter G. Broadnax Jr; three great grand- nephews,Walter George Broadnax III, Alexander Broadnax and Chase Broadnax, cousins, sisters & brothers at heart, as well as a host of family and friends who knew and loved him.