Samuel Bell Boone was born in Norfolk, Virginia on December 14, 1951 to Dr. Henry and Mrs. Martha Haynes Boone. He died in Norfolk on July 19, 2022.

Sam grew up spending his days playing imaginative games, exploring nature, laughing, and getting into mischief with his four siblings and his three first cousins. He was a fun, fearless, protector of those he loved.

Throughout his life Sam loved animals and was never without a menagerie in his care.

Sam attended The Williams School (Garrison-Williams) through the 8th grade and graduated from Granby High School in 1969. He earned a BA in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973.   He remained a true, blue Tarheel for life.

Sam spent his career working as a restaurant manager.

Sam’s slight stature belied a huge personality. He never backed down from a fight and loved an argument. His mother said, he would “argue with a gatepost”. With his sharp wit and emphatic tone, he was a storyteller who left his listeners wheezing from laughter. Sam could be loud and quite contrary but that concealed a sweet, tender heart. He was quick to express gratitude and to apologize when needed.

Sam enjoyed simple pleasures in life – a fountain Coke, cooking a meal, a phone call with a family member, fishing, birdsong, sharing jokes with his great-niece, and a UNC basketball game on TV.

Sam was predeceased by his parents, his sister Vicki, and the love of his life, Christina Perry Boone.

He is survived by his children, Henry, and Annie Boone whom he loved fiercely and were his pride and joy. He is also survived by his siblings Anne Boone Robinette (David), Beth Boone Copeland, and James Boone.