Samuel Leon Boddie

Samuel Leon Boddie Obituary

   Samuel Leon Boddie was born into a farming community in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on January 28, 1942. He was the eldest of nine children born to Cyrus and Gladys Boddie. Sam disliked farming so much that vowed he would not be stuck doing it for the rest of his life. Sam was the consummate “big brother” and told many funny, and often exaggerated, stories of “raising” his younger siblings. He attended Nash Central High School, where he cultivated many life-long friendships. A proud member of the Class of 1960, Sam regularly returned to his North Carolina roots to attend both family reunions and the Annual Alumni Weekend, as recently as 2025.

True to his vow to never farm, Sam “ran away” to join the Air Force, shortly after high school graduation. He told the story of going to the Nashville Recruitment Office to just complete enlistment paperwork, only to have been put onto a bus to Raleigh without being able to tell his family goodbye. He landed in Lincoln, Nebraska for basic training, where he later met and married Claudette McWilliams, in 1963. From their union were born two daughters, Robin and Linda.

Sam’s tour of duty later took him to Newfoundland, Canada, where he managed parts and supplies for Air Force planes. He received his Honorable Discharge in August 1966 and settled into civilian life with his family in Washington, D.C. Sam started his career at the fledgling United Parcel Service (UPS) in the late 60’s and spent most of the next 30 years traversing I-95 driving UPS big rigs. On the road “Cheyenne,” his CB handle, loved to jabber with the other truckers, trading critical information on road hazards, “Smokey sightings” (police), as well as jokes and nonsense to keep each other entertained. Sam was a man that truly never met a stranger. He could, and would, talk to just about anyone he encountered! He was a jovial and fun-loving guy who enjoyed life!

In the late 80’s, Sam married Barbara Hale, of Fort Washington, MD. There were no children of this union, however, Barbara has one daughter, Robin and a grandson, Anton.

During his years in the DMV, Sam was known for giving awesome cookouts, fish fries, and pool parties, and friends and relatives traveled miles to hang out at the Boddies’. Sam loved traveling, and went on dozens of cruises to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Hawaii, and other ports of call. He also enjoyed fishing and was known to tow his boat almost 50 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. On any given weekend he would cruise and fish the Bay for hours, and go home with loaded coolers.

Next on his list of favorite things were classic cars. He could spot and identify a rusty old classic car, abandoned in a field or parked behind a barn, while driving down the highway! Years later he restored two classic Mustangs and proudly drove them in the Gas Light Parades in Florida.

He met Brenda (BJ) Mitchell through an investment business and when Sam retired from UPS in 1997, he, BJ, and her daughter Montessa, moved to Ormond Beach, Florida. They married in July, 1999 and she remained his faithful companion and later caregiver, until his passing.

Sam slipped peacefully from this life on Monday morning, January 12, 2026, in Rockville, MD. He has joined his heavenly family: parents, Cyrus and Gladys Boddie; siblings Peggy Battle, Cyrus Boddie, and most recently, Ruth Boddie Davis; son Jeffrey Moten; and grandsons JaVonté Boddie and DeCarlos Thomas. Leaving behind to cherish his memory are: BJ Mitchell; daughters Robin Bunch (Corey), Linda Peterson (Kenneth), Montessa Mitchell, and daughter-in-law Sydney Thomas-Moten; siblings Joseph (Clementine), Leacy Reynolds (John), Bernard (Carol), Garland Boddie, and Diane Boddie Battle (Melvin); aunt, Lillian Covington, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and hundreds of friends, former co-workers and classmates. Sam is missed by all who knew him and leaves us all a legacy of friendship and love.

Sam will be honored at two memorial services:

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11 o’clock a.m.

H. D. Pope Funeral Home

325 Nash Street

Rocky Mount, NC 27804

(252) 446-9696

Memorial Service, Military Honors and inurnment in the DMV

(Date TBD, please check back periodically for updates)

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