Obituary of Samuel Robert Billups, Jr.

On June 12, 2023, at his home in Mt. Washington, Maryland, Dr. Samuel Robert Billups, Jr. died peacefully and quietly with family at his side. Ninety-two years old and sixty-six years married to his beloved Lucretia Huffam Billups, this devoted Christian man lived a grateful, abundant life and leaves behind a legacy of love, commitment, diligence, and inspiration. The third child of Samuel Robert Billups, Sr. and Alma Soniat Billups, "Sam," as he was affectionately known, was born May 5, 1931, in Kenner, Louisiana and was predeceased by his brother Lawrence and sisters, Grace, Dorothy, and Rose; his brother John survives to remember and celebrate Sam's life and their relationship. Sam's early education in the public schools of Kenner was followed by his receiving the Bachelor of Science Degree, with majors in mathematics and science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. He was later amongst the first African American students to attend Louisiana State University, receiving the Master of Science Degree. In 1991, he received the Doctorate of Education, with focus in Urban Education, from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. His educational pursuits were complemented by his military service, having begun as a cadet in ROTC at his Alma Mater. Sam entered the United States Army as an officer in 1952, serving honorably in the Korean Theater. He continued service in the active United States Army Reserves (1954-1976), retiring at the rank of Major. Sam and Lu met at a New Year's Eve party in Richmond VA in 1952. Their relationship was encouraged by Mrs. Lula Cole Dawson, deceased, who was Sam's college classmate at Southern and also Lu's graduate school roommate. On June 15, 1957, beloved and most loving, Samuel Robert Billups, Jr. of Kenner, Louisiana, and Lucretia Huffam, of Richmond, VA, married in her hometown following a long-distance courtship of five years. Sam was the consummate educator and professional, and he began his career as a mathematics teacher in the Jefferson Parish Public Schools of Louisiana (1954-1961). A desire to advance his professional career inspired his applications to public school systems in California, Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland. This led him to Baltimore City Public Schools where he arrived with his wife, Lu, his son, Kevin Lenuell, and soon -to -be -born son Kermit Samuel. Sam was always passionate about spending time with his boys. He was committed to "training up" his children, whether helping with homework, coaching baseball or participating in any aspect of their development. Both Kevin and Kermit were educated in Baltimore's Grace and St. Peter's School, St Paul's School for Boys, and ultimately at Harvard University, a demonstration of Sam and Lu's commitment to their sons and to their values about education. In the public school system of Baltimore, Sam served as a mathematics teacher (1961-1965); Department Head of Mathematics (1965-1968); Special Assistant ((1968-1970); Assistant Principal (1970-1980); Principal, Junior and High Schools (1973-1993); Interim Assistant, and Superintendent for Instruction. He was highlighted in a 1991 New York Times article on effective school reform. Additionally, he was a Charter Principal with the Coalition of Essential Schools National Reform Initiative. After retiring from the Baltimore City Public schools in 1991, Sam served as a college professor, a School Restructuring Coordinator, acting chairman of various programs and projects, and an Adjunct Professor in colleges and universities, including Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware; and, in Maryland, Bowie State University and Morgan State University. Sam's overall professional experiences spanned six decades of dedicated involvement and impacted communities from Massachusetts to New Mexico, Hawaii, California, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Washington, DC, Maryland and Louisiana. These experiences led to him becoming a highly sought-after educational consultant. Sam was invited to the White House multiple times and recognized for his excellent work by then sitting President Bill Clinton and First Lady Barbara Bush respectively. Committed and loyal to the idea that one must be engaged in civic and community endeavors, Sam served as President of the Beechtree Community Association Board of Directors. He was a member of the Delta Lamba Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Boule, and The Khayyamites, Inc. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Hearing and Speech Agency, President of Forest Park Little League and the first African American Trustee for St. Paul School for Boys. As a member of the Union Baptist Church for more than 60 years, Sam served as a member and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In 1990, named by the Reverend Vernon N. Dobson, along with his dear friend, Dr. Joel Carrington, Dr. Billups co-chaired The Child First Campaign that generated nearly $3 million for the building of a state of the art school facility. This facility continues to house the historic, stellar, and credentialled Union Baptist Harvey Johnson Head Start Program, currently 55 years old. In 2002, Reverend Vernon N. Dobson named Sam as a tri-chair for the 150th Anniversary celebration with Dr. Joel Carrington and Mrs. Melva Greene. He was an active and involved member of the Helping Hand Circle, the Men's League, and a supporter of the Cyber Center. One of the foundational highlights of Sam and Lu's Baltimore experience was the establishment of a loving, extended family affectionately referred to as "the gang." In 1961, Sam was placed at Carrolton Junior High School where he met and taught alongside Thomasina Bowie and Alma Rountree. Sam and Lu, Tommie and Roger (Bowie), Alma and Enlo (Rountree) and John and Lois (White) quickly established supportive, enduring bonds of friendship because their children were the same ages. This group would later include the Coleman family. From 1961 and through today, all holidays, momentous occasions and major life events were and are still celebrated with love at Sam and Lu's home as well as in the homes of the Bowies, the Rountrees and the Colemans. Sam and Lu's home was also the place where they passionately supported their son Kevin and many of his classmates through Johns Hopkins Medical School. Taking them under their wings, they poured their hearts into these young men by providing housing near the school, encouragement and countless home meals that helped these young black men become doctors and accomplished health care leaders. They all still keep in touch with the Billupses. As they approached their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary on June 15, 2023, their devotion to one another was apparent to all who witnessed them together and separately. Lu quietly recalls, "We never had an argument." They shared their mutual joys: family, abiding friendships, love of church, and most importantly love of God. As Sam's health declined, life for them together inspired a new nightly ritual: Before falling asleep, there came this exchange: "Lu, are you alright?" asked Sam. "Yes, I'm alright, Sam," Lu's answer. Then she would say "Sam are you alright." He would say "Yes, I'm alright Lu. "Good night, Lu," he'd say. "Good night, Sam," her response. For time to come, the dearly loved and greatly esteemed Dr. Samuel Robert Billups, Jr. will be remembered by Lucretia Huffam Billups, wife of sixty-six years, and sons, Dr. Kevin Billups and Mr. Kermit Billups; daughters-in-law Tracy Ann Hardy and Angela Lynn Billups, respectively; Kevin Scott, Lauren Michelle, Samuel Preston, Johnathan Kermit, and Jordan Leahr Billups, grandchildren; and his New Orleans family, brother, John C. Billips, and sister-in-law Julie Billips; nieces, Reba Joy Billips, Robin Brown, Lindsey Bryant, Janice Debnam, Cheryl Jackson, Jacqueline Billips, Valerie Watson-Hutchinson; nephews, Lawrence, Jr. and Steven Billups, Dwayne London, Robert Loving, Henry Watson Sr.; great nieces and nephews, Ajaii, Christian, Corey, Daniel, Donald, Edwin, Harold Jr., Henry Jr., Jakina, Jasmine, Jessica, Jordan, Kaia, Maya, Michael, Paul, Soyini and Trecee; the Franklin family, the Soniat family and many other loving Louisiana relatives; and his Richmond family, the Moseleys including Azile, Lucretia, Pamela, William Thomas, Rondell, Sheena and William, Jr.; and "extended" family Allison and Wayne Bowie, Donna and Curtis Rountree, Angela Phillips, Christopher and Brandon Rountree, Stephanie and Laurel Rountree, James and Dorothy Coleman, Kirk and Nicole Leyba, Sydney and James Allen Leyba. On Friday, June 23, 2023, a homegoing celebration for Dr. Samuel Billups will be held at the Union Baptist Church, 1219 Druid Hill Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with services to follow. The interment service will be held at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Road, on Monday, June 26, 2023, where Dr. Billups will receive military honors for his faithful service in the United States Army.