Sarah Sam

Sarah Sam was born in a small province outside of Cambodia's capital city on October 3rd, 1945. She spent most of her childhood and young adult life living in the capital, Phnom Penh. In April 1975, her country and her world turned upside down when the murderous Khmer Rouge regime took control of the country after years of civil war. Sarah was placed in forced-labor camps during Pol Pot's genocidal Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1978. She had to endure physical beatings, continuous mental torment and battled starvation throughout this time. After witnessing many captive executions - Sarah knew she had to escape to survive.

In late 1978, Sarah left on foot in the middle of the night with her husband, young son, and a few other escapees. Their destination was Khao-l-Dang refugee camp located on the free borders of Thailand many miles away through the Cambodian jungle. The terrain was treacherous - filled with land mines and continuous soldier patrols. The group moved around often in the jungle knowing they would be caught if they stayed in one spot for too long, and that one false step or the slightest noise could mean certain death. In November of 1979, her family finally made it to freedom. They arrived malnourished, physically injured, emotionally torn, and with fewer numbers than they started with - but they were finally free!

Sarah's family would grow to 6 members in the refugee camp from 1979 to 1984. During that time, Sarah learned the gospel through missionaries that came from all over the world. In 1980, she gave her life to Christ and began a new life through her newfound faith. After 5-years of fighting to survive life in the refugee camp, the Sam family would be sponsored by Christ Chapel Church in Knoxville, TN. - landing on U.S. soil on November 17, 1984. Sarah's ministry began right when she landed - sharing her story to all that would listen. In 1991, her husband (now Pastor Khem Sam) would be called to serve the Cambodian congregation at Belmont Heights Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. During this time, Sarah became a leader in the church. She delivered the gospel to the Cambodian community, through her work and to anyone she met along the way. Sarah went on global mission trips all around the U.S., Asia, and Europe. In

2019, God brought her family to Rolling Hills Community Church where their service continues.

Sarah loved everyone. She loved strangers, her friends, her church family, children, grandchildren, and husband - but mostly her God. Sarah was a generous and giving person - she truly loved everyone and found joy in giving to the church and missionaries because she knew the Lord does work through others as he did for her and our family.

Sarah went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 24, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Khem, daughters - Anna and Mary, sons - Mark and Scott, grandchildren - Solomon, Zech, Katelyn, Natalie, Kaleb, Raelle, and Aramis, Daughter-in-law - Linda, and Sons-in-law - Eroben and Ronnie.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the SAM family.