Sam Alton Westmoreland

He was everybody’s best friend.  His insatiable laughter, his bubbly personality, his winning smile and his high energy endeared him to family and friends everywhere.  Sam Alton Westmoreland was born on October 21, 2003 in Tupelo to Amanda Lavender and Josh Westmoreland.  He had an adventurous, mischievous, “all boy” childhood growing up and was always surrounded by friends who cherished his friendship. A born leader, he loved the outdoors, hiking nature trails, water sports, canoeing , sailing and relishing God’s creation.  He enjoyed a wide genre of music and was an All – American young man by any standards. He was a proud Scout with Troop 12. Sam Alton graduated from Tupelo High School 2022 where he was a standout athlete and won many awards for athleticism.  He helped guide the Golden Wave to back to back playoff appearances in 2019 and 2020.  He earned Region 2-6A second team honors following his senior season at Tupelo High and was named to the 2022 Northeast Mississippi Football Coaches All-Star Game.  He was a highly touted and beloved preferred walk- on Offense Lineman for the Mississippi State Bulldogs as a freshman.  He quickly endeared himself to his teammates, coaches and to all those who bleed Maroon and White.  Sam Alton was an active communicant of All Saints Episcopal Church in Tupelo.  He was an acolyte, usher and member of the Episcopal Youth Group.  His journey was all too brief but he leaves a legacy of wonderful memories of kind heartedness, benevolence and compassionate for others, the underdog, animals. May God rest his soul now from the scourge of mental illness and may perpetual light shine on him throughout eternity.

A Memorial service celebrating his life will take place at 5 PM Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at The Orchard (1379 Coley Road, Tupelo, MS. 38801) A time of visitation will follow.  For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming.

Sam is survived by his parents, Josh and Amanda Lavender Westmoreland; a sister, Marilyn “Mary Wilemon”  Westmoreland; his paternal grandmother, Joanne Wilemon Westmoreland all of Tupelo and his maternal grandparents, Mike and Marilyn Lavender of Columbus; his aunt, Joanna Westmoreland Gaglairdi (Matt) of Minneapolis, Minn.  and John Lavender (Kelly) of Nashville; his cousins, other relatives and friends all over the Mid-South and his beloved fur babies-his boy, Hendrix and his girl Wizkhalifr.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Shelter, P. O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS. 38802.

Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo (662 840 5000) is honored to be serving their family and friends.