Samuel “Sam” Spencer Swilling, III, jazz and blues music lover extraordinaire, and beloved son, brother, grandson, father, and grandfather, was suddenly called home to be with his Lord and Savior, on February 4, 2009. Sam was born November 13, 1957, in Atlanta GA, the city he loved so dearly, to Samuel Spencer Swilling, Jr. and Annelle Waller Swilling. His father preceded him in death. He is survived by sons Jason Davis (Carolyn Reed) Swilling, Pasadena CA and Leland Zachary Swilling, Cleveland TN; daughter, Lauren Ashley Swilling, Pasadena CA; twin grandsons, Jacob Riley and Tyler Alexander Swilling, Pasadena CA; sister, Anne Tabor (David Hart), Lynn Haven FL; mother, Annelle W. Hammond, Rockmart GA; maternal grandmother, Doris L. Waller, Atlanta GA; cousins, Stephen Craig Waller, Atlanta, and Leland Scott Waller, Fort Smith AR; former wife Cathy Swilling Walker, Pasadena CA; long-time companion, Vicki Hall, Atlanta; and a host of friends. Sam graduated from Lakeside High School in 1975, attended Young Harris College and the University of Miami (FL). He spent his early years in the music business, worked in his family’s insurance company, Atlantic & Pacific Life, for 12 years, and for the past 10 years for the Hsu-owned restaurants in downtown Atlanta, and lived and loved living in downtown Atlanta. Sam was a passionate man – he lived life completely, laughed often, loved intensely, and passed away easily in his sleep. The family will receive friends 5-8 pm on Saturday at A. S. Turner & Sons, Decatur. Services will be at Briarcliff Baptist Church, Atlanta, Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Bill Bigger officiating. Interment follows at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs GA. A. S. Turner & Sons
