By Staff
Samuel Fox Mordecai, died Tuesday, October 6, at his home in Washington, NC, surrounded by his family.
He is survived by five of his six children and their spouses: Mary Day Mordecai and Edward Irwin Hulbert, III of Harrisville, New Hampshire; Carla Mordecai Schwab and John Charles Schwab of Columbia, South Carolina; Grace Mordecai Lekson and David Michael Lekson of Washington; Samuel Fox Mordecai, Jr. and Alexandra McMillan Mordecai of Raleigh; and Timothy Carter Mordecai of Bath. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carlotta Carter Mordecai and by a daughter, Thorne Mordecai Darden.
Sam is also survived by ten grandchildren: John Carter Schwab and Alice Schwab Whiteside, and Timothy Nicholson Schwab of Columbia, S.C.; Gregory Brock Darden of Seattle, Washington; Shawn Nicholson Darden of Chocowinity; Elizabeth Ann Lekson and Kathleen Taylor Lekson of Washington; Samuel Fox Mordecai, III and Isabelle McMillan Mordecai of Raleigh; and Mariah Day Mordecai of Bath. In addition, he is survived by six great-grandchildren.
Sam was the son of Mary Day Faison and George Washington Mordecai of Raleigh. Two of his siblings, George Washington Mordecai and Ellen Mordecai Welles, currently reside in Raleigh. His brother Frank Faison Mordecai of Virginia Beach, VA is now deceased.
Sam spent his childhood in Raleigh, graduating from Broughton High School in 1938 and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1942.
Sam was a gifted athlete who, from childhood, enjoyed and excelled at many sports, including basketball, tennis and golf. At the University of North Carolina, he played on the freshman basketball team, was voted best intramural athlete on campus, and won the Southern Conference championship in wrestling.
During World War II, Sam was a pilot in the Navy Air Corps. After the war, he returned to Raleigh where he met Carlotta Nicholson Carter of Washington. They married in 1946 and lived in both Raleigh and Chapel Hill while Mr. Mordecai attended the University of North Carolina Law School, graduating in 1950.
The couple then resided in Raleigh, where Sam was an insurance adjustor and part owner and manager of Hayes Barton Swimming Pool. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church.
In 1963 Sam co-founded Mordecai Pfeiffer Ranch, which he and his partners developed into one of eastern North Carolina’s earliest blackland farms. At that time the family relocated to Washington. Sam farmed and raised cattle for nearly thirty years until his retirement in 1992.
Sam was appreciated by his family and friends for his natural intelligence, his sense of humor and his independent spirit.
The family will receive friends and family at the home, 1232 N. Market Street in Washington, Thursday evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and also at other times.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 9, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington and will be followed by a graveside service at Oakdale Cemetery. The Rev. Kevin Johnson will officiate. The following family members will serve as active pallbearers: grandsons Carter Schwab, Shawn Darden, Samuel Mordecai, Tim Schwab; sons-in-law Ned Hulbert, John Schwab and David Lekson.
Memorials may be made to Rector’s Discretionary Fund of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 985, Washington, N.C. 27889.
Condolences may be addressed to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is honored to serve the Mordecai Family.
Paid Obituary