Obituary of Samuel Earl Mims, Sr.

Samuel Earl Mims, Sr.  

Samuel Earl Mims of Modesto California passed away in his home on Wednesday, July 9th, 2025. He was born January 28, 1944 to the late Milton John and the late Fannie Mae (Mims) Graham Sr. in Conshohocken, PA. He has lived in California for the past 4 years, previously of Norristown and Conshohocken where he grew up. Everyone knew him as Earl or big Earl. He was educated in the Conshohocken school district.

Earl served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 during the Vietnam war. He received an Honorable discharge upon departure. He was employed by John Wood Company, Allen Wood Steel, Victory Metal and Colonial School District.

Earl was a member of St Paul’s Baptist Church of Conshohocken where he was baptised as an adult and he was christened at St. John’s AME church of Conshohocken when he was a child.

In 1965 Earl married the late Carole Livers Mims. From that union 4 children were born. Earl Jr, Maureen, Von and Shawn.

In 1991 Earl married the late Geraldine Janifer-Mims and they made a home together in Norristown, PA. They spent the next 30 years together as man and wife until her untimely death.

Earl was a very stylish man and was very particular about his clothing and appearance. He was also a great dancer. He loved to Bop, Cha Cha, Strand, you name it…he could do it. He and Gerry would be the first on the dance floor bopping to their favorite song “Jam Tonight” by Freddy Jackson. Earl and Gerry also loved to entertain friends and family or anyone who stopped by their home. Earl loved people and often adopted them to be part of his family. He kept a nice car and he would ride into town playing his oldies loudly for all to hear. He was also a pet lover. His first being Topper, the Cocker Spaniel. Then there was China, the attack Siamese cat, Bruno the German Shepard and Dartania the Doberman. Bruno was special - no one could eat before Bruno ate.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Geraldine Mims, his former wife Carol Livers-Mims, his son Shawn Mims, his grandson Rashaan Mims, his grand-daughter Kenyatta Brewer, his sisters Linda Graham and Janice Rolli, his brothers Milton Graham and Jerome Graham and brother-in-law Robert Rolli.

Earl is survived by his Children Samuel Earl Mims Jr., Maureen Rene Mims and Von Bakr Mims, Davicka Rhoads and Carole Mitahsha Barnes (William). Siblings Melvin Graham, Crystal Brown (Robert), Beverly Graham, Mattie Graham, Zelda Graham and Craig Graham (Nichole). 14 Grandchildren: Marquis, Shavonna (Shane), Daesean, Tashaan, Shawn Jr., Da’Quan, Lavonna, Sadat, Carvaughn, Quashaan, Imani, Eva, Carole and Kennedy. Great-Grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a host of other family members and friends.

His Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM from St. Paul's Baptist Church, 140 East 3rd Avenue, Conshohocken, PA.

Friends may call on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Paul's Baptist Church.

Interment will follow in Gulph Christian Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330.
www.msrfh.com.