Funeral arrangements announced for Canal Street preacher Keith Sam
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Funeral arrangements for Canal Street preacher Keith Sam have been announced.
Sam’s sister, Yvette Sam-Martin, announced Tuesday, April 9, that a Homegoing Celebration is set to take place Saturday, April 13 at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church at 2515 Franklin Ave.
Sam, who was known as the “Umbrella Man” and a “noted Canal Street Preacher,” died Friday, April 5 after a battle with stomach cancer at the age of 65.
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Sam was hospitalized in March following the diagnosis. Martin told WGNO that even while her brother was hospitalized, he continued to battle every day.
For 40 years, Sam was known for preaching the word of God on Canal Street.
“Well, God called me to preach, and he first started preparing me for the street ministry when I was in Job Corps back in 1975,” said Sam in 2017.
In a profile done by WGNO’s LBJ in 2017, Sam said he was not doing the work for money but to have a positive effect on people.
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“Well, Canal Street is pretty much a public place where a lot of people are back and forth. Jesus said go to the highways and hedges and compel men women and children to come to him, so it’s just one way to expose a lot of people to God’s goodness,” said Sam in 2017.
The viewing is set to begin at 9 a.m. and services will start at 10 a.m., according to Sam-Martin.
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