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Samuel Henry Stockett - Obituary
Wednesday, October 23, 2013




Samuel Henry Stockett passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at his home in Jackson, Miss. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24 at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson at 11:00 a.m. with visitation before the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

Sam was born September 9, 1947. He was the son of Robert Carter Nicholas Stockett, Sr. and Caroline Price Stockett. Born in Jackson, Miss., he was a member of the Murrah High School class of 1965 and was a graduate of Mississippi College.

Sam was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson for over 50 years. He was the General Manager of Ramada's of Jackson for over 20 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Jackson Zoo and also the Community Hospital for over 30 years, was a lifetime member of the Walking Horse Owners Association and Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association, having served on the Board of Directors of both. He was one of the first and few individuals honored with the Master Breeder Award of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association. He was also a member of the Hall of Fame of the Mississippi Walking Horse Association, and he served as the Treasurer of the Mississippi Charity Horse Show for 20 years.

The TWHBEA Master Breeder Award is the highest and most prestigious recognition given to a breeder, recognizes those breeders whose work over an extended period of time has had a significant and long-lasting impact on the breed. Stockett was presented with this award at the annual TWHBEA Awards Banquet in 2011.

Sam Stockett began riding when he was five and showing his Shetland when he was eight. Three years later, under the direction of J.H. Noblin, he made the transition to walking horses. Influenced by his childhood spent immersed in the walking horse, Stockett has spent the years since that time working towards the betterment of the breed he loves. In 1979 he purchased a three-year-old son of Pride Of Midnight named Pride’s Royal Master. After a successful show career, he was retired to the breeding barn where he quickly made a name for himself. His first crop of seven foals in 1981 all became successful show horses. Stockett very carefully selected a top band of broodmares. He continued his search for top broodmares and by the late 1980s his band included such standouts as Tiger Lilly K.C.H.C., Rock’s Romance, Lonely Little Star, Delight’s Star M., Delight’s Caper, Bum’s Caper, Senator Special Babe, Delight’s Kay M. and Delight’s Ideal. Crossing these mares with Royal Master, Stockett produced successful contenders such as Royal Label, Royal Seal, Royal’s Dark Bum, Royal’s Kay, Royal Deal and Royal Sparkle. Stockett also was successful crossing his mares with Pride’s Last Recall and other prominent stallions.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include one brother, Robert N Stockett, Jr. and wife, Barbara Stockett of Madison; nieces and nephews, Susan Carnell and husband, Glenn of Corinth, TX, Rob Stockett III, and wife, Carroll of Jackson, Kathryn Stockett of Atlanta, GA, Nicholas Stockett of Madison, and Burke Stockett of Oxford; 5 great nieces and nephews; aunt, Sarah Price Wright and uncle, Dr. Richard Johnson. Sam will be missed by many people whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, French Camp Academy, or a charity of your choice.

Click Here to visit the First Presbyterian Church

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