Samuel Lewis (Baby Sam) Ferguson, III, 85, of Woodchuck Drive, Appomattox, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at his residence. He was the husband of Hilda Wilson Ferguson.

Born in Appomattox County, on Sept. 13, 1932, he was a son of the late Joseph Delewarr Ferguson and the late Sara Virginia Morton Ferguson. Sam was raised in Courtland Manor by his grandparents, Senator Samuel L. and Adelia Mann Ferguson.

Sam was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church and retired from Courtland Manufacturing after serving as a general manager for 50 years. He attended Hamden-Sydney College on a baseball scholarship before he entered the US Navy in 1951. He continued to play baseball while serving in the Navy and then returned to play for Lynchburg College. He was a member of the Appomattox Sports Hall of Fame for his High School Baseball career. He spent many years coaching youth in Appomattox in both baseball and football. Sam was faithful visitor to nursing homes and shut-ins.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons, S. L. Ferguson Jr. and wife, Sherry and David Ferguson and wife, Sheila all of Appomattox; 10 grandchildren, Kristin (Jesse) Stem, Jessica (Tim) Davis, Robert (Monica) Ferguson, Dustin (Asheley) Ferguson, Tori (Matt) Borgese, Taylor Ferguson, Sarah (Casey) McGuire, Shane Roberts, Evin (Amelia) Proffitt, Lindsay (Luther) Carter; 17 great-grandchildren, Emerson, Natalie, Aidyn, Malorie, Kenzie, Korey, Lilly, Mavyn, Stella, Piper, Baby Borgese on the way, Melanie, Chasity, Chelsea, Savannah, Chase, and Baby Carter on the way; a step-son, Keith Fender; three step-grandchildren, Claire, Kennedy, and Colin and their mother, Kari Jennelle Fender; numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly; and his black lab, Charlie.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph D. Ferguson and Morton Ferguson.

The family would like to specially thank Sallie Pankey, Emmy Baldwin, and Dale Franklin Burge for the loving caring of Sam as if he were family, to the Appomattox County Rescue Squad for their support, and to his caring neighbors in Hunting Ridge Subdivision.

A funeral service was held 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at Memorial United Methodist Church by Pastor Russell Cheatham and Pastor S. L. Ferguson. Burial was in Liberty Cemetery with Military rites accorded by American Legion Post #104 and V.F.W. #9855 combined honor guard. Following the service the family received friends at 5 p.m., in Legacy Hall of Memorial United Methodist Church and other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to MUMC Building Fund, PO Box 9, Appomattox, VA 24522 or Night to Shine Journey Ministries with the Tim Tebow Foundation, PO Box 2246, Appomattox, VA 24522; make checks to Journey Ministries.

Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visitng www.robinsonfuneral.com.