Samuel James Hosey, Sr., Barrier-Breaking Pharmacist and Man of Faith and Family, Is Remembered

Samuel James Hosey Sr. was born April 25, 1930, in Wheatland, Pennsylvania, and entered his reward on Saturday, June 5, 2021. He leaves his loving wife of 65 years, Helen Rosalee, his children, Iris Luck (Andre), Carla Conaway (Dale), Violet, Laura, and Samuel Jr. (Vishinski).

He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Alana, Christina (Tyrone), Benjamin, Parris (Sr.), Candace, Samuel James III, Thialen, Alexander, Christopher, and great-grandson Parris Jr., as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Ebony Rose.

Samuel came into the world feet-first during the beginning of the Great Depression. He was born to Willie Edward Hosey and Lillie Leona Ophelia Crosby. Willie was a steel mill worker in Wheatland, Pennsylvania, and the town’s first Black police officer. Lillie was a homemaker and schoolteacher.

Samuel Sr. was about faith, family, and honor. His life centered around Black excellence with a strong emphasis on education and hard work from a very young age. He started working at age 8, selling newspapers for 10 cents and making 2 cents per paper sold. He first worked at a Black-owned newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, and later worked at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He delivered newspapers before elementary school and had 37 customers. As a young entrepreneur, Samuel made 50 cents a week and put 25 cents in the bank from every check. His end-of-the-year check equaled $12.50; and his new bike (c. 1938) cost him $8.50. He was a hardworking man with a goal and incomparable work ethic.

Samuel graduated from Farrell Senior High School in 1948 and, that summer, he worked for Wheatland Tube, making and assembling pipes. Leaving his pipe dreams behind, Samuel focused on college, majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. While enrolled at Tugaloo College in Mississippi, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity in December 1949. He transferred to North Carolina Agricultural and State University and graduated in 1953. Samuel was drafted into the military and served in the Army during the Korean War. He was a water purification specialist, a responsibility that appears simple but was pivotal. He was stationed in Europe and the U.S. and in 1955 was honorably discharged from Company A-68th Medium Rank Battalion- CCB: 6th Armored Division- 2nd Platoon.

The same year, he met the love of his life, Helen Reed, and he asked for her hand in marriage three weeks after their meeting. They married in 1956, and Samuel continued his college education at Texas Southern University. He graduated in 1960 with honors and as the top-ranked student in his pharmaceutical class. He received the Lehn & Fink Gold Award, which recognized his academic success in Pharmaceutical Science.

With education paving the way for his success, his secret weapon was his wife, Helen. Not only was she educated, but Helen was also fearless. Not knowing where her husband would be able to work – or if anyone would even hire him – she walked the City of Lansing, Michigan, and asked all of the pharmacies if they would hire a Black pharmacist. Only ONE store said “yes”: Stone’s Pharmacy in 1960. Samuel became the first Black pharmacist in Ingham County. Through racial obstacles and compensation disparities, he didn’t quit, he only persevered. His wife’s prayers and tired feet paved the way for this working Black man during the height of Jim Crow.

In 1962, he was hired at TB Hospital, later Ingham Medical Hospital (today’s McLaren Greater Lansing) as a pharmacist. He worked there for three years, breaking barriers and opening doors for other Black medical professionals. From 1965 to 1969, Samuel worked at almost all of the pharmacies in the Lansing area. In January 1969, Samuel made another trailblazing decision and moved his family to become one of the first Black families to live in the nearly-all-white suburb of East Lansing, Michigan.

Samuel was a music enthusiast and singer. Samuel was a charter member of the Earl Nelson Singers, a community choir dedicated to preserving the history and tradition of hymns and Negro Spirituals. He lent his smooth and soulful tenor vocals to the musical ensemble from 1963- 2001. Samuel was also a sports enthusiast, taking Sam Jr. to countless football, basketball, hockey, and baseball games.

He worked in Sparrow Hospital pharmacy from 1969 to 1983. Samuel made a bold career move and left Sparrow to work at Michigan State University’s Olin Health Center and became Director of Pharmacy Services in 1983. A year later, Samuel became the first Black Chief Pharmacist at MSU. Samuel also served on the Board of Directors of the Medical Credit Union in Lansing for over 30 years. While working at his full-time hospital job, there were times he worked two or three additional part-time jobs to provide and care for his family. In 38 years of work, Samuel only missed three days.

One of the greatest men from the greatest generation, Samuel leaves behind an incredible legacy of faith, family, and love.

His favorite scripture, Proverbs 22:1, was also his testimony. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

This was written by Joy Webb with contributions from Sam Hosey, Jr., who is the President of ELi’s Board of Directors.