Samson Joseph Fornette Jr., age 73, a native and resident of Morgan City, LA transitioned peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at his residence surrounded by family.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at New Zora Baptist Church 604 Julia Street Morgan City, LA. Burial will follow in the Morgan City Cemetery.
Samson Joseph Fornette Jr. was born in Baldwin, LA on April 27, 1952. Known to many as “Sam”, he was born to the late Samson Joseph Fornette Sr., from Charenton, LA and the late Almetra Lyles Burnett from Morgan City, LA. After the passing of his father, they moved back to Morgan City, LA and then later moved to Houston,TX.
As a young boy, Samson always wanted to learn Karate. He then started Karate at a young age. He moved back to Morgan City, LA in 1992 where he started his career with Morgan City High School as a custodian. He pursued his dreams in Karate under the leadership of Mr. Mitchell. Samson earned his black belt and many other belts along the way in Taekwondo. Samson was always a dedicated worker. He retired from the Morgan City High School in 2019. Sam was a dedicated family man and loved family gatherings and traveling.
Samson loved Karate, fishing, and riding his bicycle all over Morgan City. He was always kind and humble even growing up as little boy. He was always a giver. His big smile and laughter always lighten up a room. Sam loved his seafood and China King was his favorite spot on Friday nights. Samson was a spiritual man and could be seen “Praising God” no matter where he was, and now we can say he is “ Praising with God”. He was loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle and he will greatly be missed.
Samson became a member at Mt. Era Baptist Church in Morgan City, LA and attend Summer Youth Encampment at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where he met his wife, Savannah. They married on June 26, 1993, and would have celebrated 32 loving years on June 26, 2025. He later became a member of the New Zorah Baptist Church in Morgan City, LA under the leadership of the late Rev. Ezekiel
Simmons III, where he served as a deacon under the leadership of his now Pastor Terry Lee Joseph, Sr. until his illness. Samson attended Sunday school and was also a member of the Men Ministry.
On June 19, 2025, God called for Samson to take his Glory Walk. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 73 years old and didn’t have one single gray hair on his head. Samson was a man that walked by Faith and not by Sight. He was welcomed in heaven by those who preceded his death his father, Samson Joseph Fornette, Sr.; his mother, Almetra Lyles Burnett; maternal grandparents, Bertha Nero Lyles and Thomas Lyles Sr.; brother, Robert Jones Sr.; sister, Francis Morisetti; mother-n-law, Doretha Oliney; stepdaughter, Debra Oliney; stepson, David Oliney; 2 granddaughters; 1 great granddaughter; and 4 nephews.
Sam’s life, love, and legacy will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Savannah O. Fornette of Morgan City, LA; 2 stepdaughters, Sherita (Karl) Molden of Walker, LA; Timika (Sylvester) Francois of Berwick, LA; 1 stepson, Gregory (Michelle) Oliney of Chalmette, LA; 2 sisters, Joslyn Burnett Brown of Houston, TX; Sandra Fornette Hebert of Humble, TX; aunt, Fannie Ann Lyles Garrett of Baton Rouge, LA; sister-n-law, Vera Jones of Morgan City, LA; 9 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 2 god children, Ty’Esha MiShelle Edwards and Kori Clark; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.