Sammy Ray Oxendine

He accepted Christ at the age of 8, and was Spirit filled at Youth Camp at the age of 11. After graduating from Holbrook High School in Lowell, NC, he received a BA in English from Belmont Abbey College; an MA in English from Appalachian State University; and an Ed.D in Curriculum from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Sammy taught English and served as assistant principal at Holbrook High School from 1966-69. He served as Program Director and Assistant Superintendent at the Church of God Home for Children from 1969-72 and 1974-76; he served as CE Director at the Eastway Church of God, 1972-73; and as assistant pastor at the Cramerton Church of God, 1973-74. He became an Ordained Bishop in 1974. He served as Director of the Church of God Summer Bible and Music Institute from 1971-76. From 1975-77, he served on the East Coast Bible College Board of Directors and became Vice President and Dean of the College in 1977. While at East Coast Bible College he traveled the world doing ministry at youth camps, churches and Ministry to Military with the group Covenant. In 1977, he also helped Pastor Weatherby in the planting of Central Church of God in Charlotte. He served at East Coast Bible College until 1995 when he was assigned as Pastor of the Cramerton Church of God, later named Life Church. While there, the congregation grew substantially, and new facilities were built adjacent to the Cramer Mountain Country Club and Golf Course in 2004. He retired in 2012.

His survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen, of Cramerton; daughter April Ray and husband Chris of Fort Mill, SC; daughter Alison Liscum and husband Steven of Chincoteague, VA; and daughter Amy Bowen of Gastonia, NC. He also leaves grandchildren Amber Lucas of Gastonia, NC; Travis Oxendine of Cramerton, NC; Cayden Odom of Gastonia, NC; Parker Ray and wife, Evelyn, of Cleveland, TN; Caroline and Sophia Ray of Fort Mill, SC; Nathan Liscum of Fort Myers, FL; and Nole Liscum of Kodiak, AK; and great grandchildren Mason and Madison Lucas of Gastonia, NC.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:45 am on Friday, November 15, 2024 at UR Church, 2315 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28054 with the celebration of life service beginning at 12:00 pm. A committal service will immediately follow at Gaston Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Covenant Church Chincoteague at P.O. Box 904, Chincoteague, VA 23336.

Please visit www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com to leave online condolences and fond memories for the Oxendine Family.