Samuel Reeder McCullough of Nashville, Ark., passed away on 4-18-26 at the age of 95. Of course, he was a little upset as his goal was to make it to 100. He loved life, and did not want to miss out on anything. Whether it was a potluck, Scrapper game or church. But, especially Scrapper activities and visiting with family and friends.
He was born in Nathan, Ark., on 11-17-30 and raised in a family of 12. He was Member the Sunset Church of Christ. Preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Delia McCullough, his loving wife Emma Nell McCullough, son Rick McCullough, grandson Myles McCullough. As well as many brothers and sisters. And his fur children Cowboy and Bernie Mac. He is survived by daughter, Rita Simpson, daughter-in-law, Teresa McCullough. Sister, Vickie Mc Mahan. Granddaughters Heather Berhalter, Sara McCullough DeBuhr, Jessica McCullough, Andrea Simpson and grandson, Jon Simpson. His loving great-grandchildren, Sam McCullough, Lilly and Lucas McCullough, Grant, Reed and Archer Berhalter, Lev and Inola DeBuhr, Harriet and Virginia Simpson and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
His early years were spent in the metropolis of Nathan where he attended early education until consolidated with Murfreesboro. He grew up during difficult times, a child of the depression which engrained in him a sense of saving and making do with what you are given. See us if you need some “stuff.” Although, this did not stop him in his later years from numerous Publishers Clearing House orders. And yes, he always kept those entries because he was going to win!
He transferred to Nashville High School, where he played football and as he tells it, finally as a senior became quarterback. He said “I thought they would never ask! I don’t know what was wrong with them, and why it took so long.” If you don’t know, he certainly had a competitive spirit. He proudly noted that he played when there were limited players, so you played offense and defense. A time as he noted, when men were men and no time for whining. He loved supporting the Scrappers. He was a super fan. As evidenced by him still wanting to make sure his season football tickets were paid for this fall.
He started working at the Coca-Cola plant out of high school 1949-53. He knew Emma growing up and says he was smitten at 15 with that first kiss and knew he would marry her. He confessed he never left her alone. They married in 1950 and as he recalled it, he saved Emma from the dreaded peach orchard work when she finally gave in and agreed to marry him. It is not clear if that was Emma’s story.
He joined the military during the Korean conflict and was stationed at Ft. Sills artillery training, fire direction, and remained stateside. He had a great joy in becoming a barber and worked and trained at Barksdale AFB which allowed him to move back to Nashville in 1964 and raise his family in a much beloved community and once more to be a Scrapper.
He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, friend and mentor. He enjoyed meeting people, socializing. He supported the Scrappers whether through the barbershop, at games, or making pies for sports snack times. He cut hair for many generations of families over the years. He loved multi-generational connections. He would tell funny stories about cutting kids hair and getting in trouble particularly for a few girls haircuts. The girls would tell him that Mom gave them permission for a questionable cut such as flat top or Mohawk. He tells of Ruth Ann Futrell, who received by his standard, a good looking flat top, but Mama didn’t think it was so great. “Boy was I in trouble with Mama.” Lesson learned!
He was a high school football referee for many years. A fisherman, hunter, beekeeper, animal lover, hardener, cook and baker. Not too much of a cleaner. A lover of AM coffee and one of America’s main food groups, Little Debbie Donut sticks. As we often had to transport Little Debbie contraband from Kansas as Walmart was always out and Amazon always crushed his donut sticks.
He was fiercely independent and had the stubborn McCullough gene. But, that also served him well. That stamina and perseverance kept him going strong for years with repeatedly delaying retirement. After retiring in his 80’s, to stay busy, he built by himself a replica of Emma’s grandmother’s one room house, which became a great playground for the grandkids. He took care of Emma in his retirement as her health declined. He continued cutting hair at the nursing homes and private homes for those that had the need. As he said, it was great to cut hair for the old people. Forgetting he was older than many of them.
He enjoyed his church family, as well as friends and community. He painfully realized he had outlived many of his friends and family and missed them so.
He was loved and will be missed by many.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Latimer Funeral Home in Nashville.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, in the Latimer Funeral Chapel in Nashville. Interment will follow in Academy Cemetery near Nathan, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville.
