Samuel Alexander Shearin

Sam Shearin, age 22, Bartlett resident and son of Joseph and Elaine Earnest-Shearin died at Methodist Hospice Residence in Memphis.

Sam attended Harding Academy Memphis and Westside High School. He dreamed of a career in the military and spent every free moment engaged in some related activity. His greatest happiness came from being outside with his Uncle Bobby or catching the biggest fish with his father. He loved everything related to cars or motorcycles. Any activity thought to be dangerous or undoable, meant that he was going to try it. There was another side of Sam often not seen. He wrote poetry and music. He had several poems published and taught himself to play guitar. He also played piano, drums and trumpet. He never met a stranger nor did he place any importance on a person's social status. He always fought for the underdog and his concern for children with special needs never went unnoticed. He was an avid speed reader with a photographic memory. Sam shared his knowledge with many of his friends, whether it was working on a motor or discussing philosophies of life. He participated on the Rifle Team and the Land Navigational Team in JROTC. Sam was honored to be the only student from Tennessee accepted to Washington D.C.'s Junior War College. While participating in the program, Sam's leadership and academic ability along with his military skills garnered him a full scholarship to North Georgia University and Military School. Thrilled that he would be entering college at 16 and in the military at 17, his great excitement was short lived, when a few weeks later he became ill and was later diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. Sam waged a mighty battle against his illness seeking aid from St. Jude and Vanderbilt. Displaying determination and his love for the military showed until the very end. He said that you may not win every battle, but you can lose with dignity and later win the war. Sam Won.

Sam leaves his mother and father, Joseph and Elaine Earnest-Shearin of Bartlett; three sisters, Michelle Clifford of Jackson, TN, Amy Maples (Christopher) of Louisville, TN, Ashley Shearin of Germantown, TN; two brothers, Joseph Shearin, Jr. of Bolivar, TN, Arthur Denton Shearin (Angie) of Jackson, TN; a niece, Jessica Shearin of Jackson, TN; a nephew, Houston Shearin of Jackson, TN; and special aunts and uncles, Billy and Janie Shearin Adams, Bobby and Elsie Earnest Hubbard, Bobby and Evelyn Earnest-Hugueley, Fred and Janie Shearin, Maryann Hughes, Ruth Shearin, Lawrence and Mexie Shearin.

Sam was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Robert and Sallie Harris Earnest; paternal grandparents, Jesse and Virgie Houston Shearin; his sister, Martye Shearin McGarrh; and his sister-in-law, Jean Sergeant-Shearin.

The family requests that memorials be directed to Methodist Hospice, 6416 Quince Road, Memphis, TN 38119 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.