Samuel Preston Yarbrough

January 27, 1940 - March 17, 2016

SMSgt. Samuel Preston Yarbrough, U. S. Air Force, Ret., age 76, died March 17, 2016. Mr. Yarbrough was born in Demopolis, AL on January 27, 1940. He was a graduate of Vigor High School, Wallace Community College, Troy State University and various military schools. He served twenty-three years in the Air Force, with overseas assignments in North Africa, Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii, Thailand and Vietnam. Among his many awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three devices, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device. He retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1981. Mr. Yarbrough continued serving his country in a civilian capacity for seven years following completion of his military service for a total of thirty years. Mr. Yarbrough was a member of Central Baptist, now Valley Grande Baptist, Masonic Lodge 926, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Elks, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Retired Enlisted Association, Air Force Sergeants Association and the American Legion. Mr. Yarbrough was preceded in death by his father, Wilson B. Yarbrough; mother, Louise Paisley Yarbrough Lucas and sister, Hazel Diane McMullen. Surviving are his wife, Lucille Stokes Yarbrough; son, Michael P. (Michelle) Yarbrough of Birmingham, AL; sister, Deborah Denton; grandchildren, Angela (Ryan) Jones and Sam Yarbrough, and great-grandson, Harrison Jones. Funeral services will be Monday, March 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Selma Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Clarke Skelton officiating. Interment will be in Pineview Memory Gardens with Selma Funeral Home directing. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Valley Grande Baptist Church, 48 County Road 16, Valley Grande, AL 36701.