Elmer "Sam" Ishmael

Lexington, KY Elmer "Sam" Ishmael, 70, died September 17, 2015. He is survived by his wife Pamela (Dobson) Ishmael; daughters Sylvia Bowers, Rita (Tony) Clem and Kathy Boaz; sons Michael Ishmael, Samuel Ishmael, Louis (Dana) Simpson, Jr., Russell (Tonja) Simpson, Davin (Melissa) Simpson, Kelly (Kristy) Simpson and Michael (Tonya) Simpson; sisters Elaine (John) Bingham and Charlotte (Charles) Angell; brother Eddie (Wanda) Ishmael; 25 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Elmer T. and Nancy (Ravenscraft) Ishmael; sisters Joyce (Larry) Fuller and Janet (Charles) Parsons and brother Harold Glenn (Annamae) Ishmael. Sam was a faithful attender of Highlands Baptist Church. He was strong in his faith, and if you knew him, you knew where he stood with the Lord. He loved to study and teach the Bible, its many stories and rich history. Sam was a selfless person who lived his life with the J.O.Y. principle: First came Jesus, then Others and lastly Yourself. He lived this out until the end was near by making sure that his family was prepared for his passing. His study time was very important to him. He would write in his Bible and underline by color, those things that spoke to him. In the past, he was an avid fisherman and a fan of the Cincinnati Reds until his death. If you knew him, you can remember the aroma of his pipe, the smell of his cigars, and the sound of his voice, as he spoke to everyone from the heart. Funeral Information There will be a visitation from 3-5 PM, Sunday, September 20, 2015 followed by a service at 5 at Clark Legacy Center in Brannon Crossing. His burial will be at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, September 22, 2015.