A Soldier Gone Too Soon

[bitsontherun Vm5nDiO3]

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A Lowndes County family continues to mourn the loss of a beloved relative. On Sunday, decorated veteran Samson Edmond the third will be laid to rest. Last weekend, he was fatally shot outside a bar in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Dorothy and Samson Edmond Junior speak with heavy hearts as they remember their son who lost his life in a senseless shooting. Samson the third had high hopes of starting a new life in West Virginia. His dad remembers the last time they were together.

“We embraced each other I told him that I loved him, I told him I was so proud of him that he was everything that a father could ask for his child.”

28 year old Specialist Samson Edmond the third served with the Mississippi National Gaurd’s 114th Field Artillery Unit. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being injured in Iraq during his service in 2005 and 2006. His parents say, he had just landed a job with a government agency in West Virginia. Samson had also just gotten engaged. He and his fiancee were house shopping.

Edmonds says, “It’s very hard to imagine what took place and I’m trying to get myself together to ask those questions myself. So far all I’ve been told is that he had been shot.”

Samson leaves behind his parents, two sisters, two brothers and a fiance. He was a war veteran, college graduate and loving son.

Edmond says, “He said something to me. He said dad I could have come home but I didn’t. He said I went over there with my unit and I’m going to some home with my unit. Then I knew he was a man.”

Thanks to the support of family and friends the Edmonds are making it hour by hour. Samson’s mother Dorothy know’s exactly what she will miss most.

“I’m going to miss him, I’m going to miss his smile, miss his jokes, just miss him being around.”

Specialist Samson Edmond III was truly loved and will be deeply missed.

 Last check, West Virginia authorities had 3 people in custody, but were awaiting the results of gunshot residue tests before filing formal charges.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday from 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Carter Funeral Home and the funeral service will be held Sunday at 2:00p.m at West Lowndes High School.