Robert Franklin Sammons:
Bob Sammons, a devoted Southern gospel songwriter, entrepreneur, and family man, was born on January 23, 1937, in Johnson City, Tennessee, to Evelyn and Frank Sammons. 
As the first child in the family, Bob grew up amidst the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II era. His early years were marked by a close-knit extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who instilled in him values of hard work and faith.
Tragedy struck early when his father, Frank, succumbed to tuberculosis in 1950 at age 38, leaving Bob, at 13, to navigate adolescence with his mother, Evelyn, and siblings Carolyn, Curtis, and Katherine.
Despite the hardships, Bob's resourcefulness shone through. He delivered newspapers, worked odd jobs, and explored the outdoors, fishing and skinny-dipping with friends. His teenage years were adventurous, including hitchhiking trips and brief military stints. 
At 16, he enlisted in the Army but was discharged early due to his age. Undeterred, he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954, serving as an electronics technician at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. There, he formed lifelong friendships, honed technical skills, and experienced life's unpredictability, from flipping a military vehicle to hitchhiking cross-country. 
Discharged in 1957, Bob returned to Johnson City, working in TV repair and odd jobs. His life transformed in 1958 when he committed his life to Christ at First Freewill Baptist Church. Soon after, he met Betty Jo Smith, whom he married on November 6, 1959. 
Their union produced four children: Sharon (1960), Cindy (1962), Robby (1963), and Lisa (1968). Bob's early marriage years involved TV repair work, including rigging ski boats and managing a service station.
In 1965, Bob founded The Color Specialist Shop, a successful TV repair business in Johnson City. By 1973, sensing a call to ministry, he sold his business and moved his family to Arlington, Texas, to attend Bible Baptist Seminary. 
Bob earned a Bachelor of Divinity and Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Language, while Betty received a Bachelor of Science in Religious Education. During seminary, Bob supported the family by installing siding and roofing, often with brother-in-law Dexter. Post-graduation in 1977, Bob briefly pursued further studies at Bob Jones University but returned to Texas, founding Aluminum Roofing Specialists. 
The company thrived, earning awards and trips, and Bob became a leader in Alcoa Aluminum Roofing, traveling for installations in Panama, Saint Croix, and Saint Vincent. 
Tragically, the family endured losses: daughter Cindy died from diabetes complications in 1989 at 27, and son Robby perished in a car accident in 1981 at 17. 
In 1996, Bob retired from roofing, selling his company. His passion for music, rooted in church choirs, blossomed into songwriting in 2014. He attended Ben Speer’s “Stamps Baxter School of Music”, Gloria Gaither’s “Songwriters Intensive”, John Chisum’s “Nashville Christian Songwriters”, and Sue Smith’s “Write About Jesus”.  Inspired by friends and a hospital revelation during a near-fatal illness, Bob wrote hits like "Tell Me Again," which won the 2019 Singing News Songwriters Search and was recorded by The Kingdom Heirs. Other songs, such as "It's Still Good News"  by The Guardians was nominated for Southern Gospel Album of the Year at the Dove Awards. Bob received an award as a songwriter on the album.
His “A Musical Journey Through The New Testament” series, a 136-song devotional project, reflects his lifelong faith, blending Southern gospel music with Scripture teachings. Bob's adventures included houseboat trips up the Mississippi and cross-country motor-home journeys with Betty. 
Now in his late 80s, Bob continues songwriting, cherishing family— nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren —and his 66-year marriage to Betty. 
A man of resilience, Bob's life verse, Philippians 3:14, encapsulates his journey: pressing on toward the goal in Christ. Through music and testimony, he inspires others to embrace faith's ultimate gain.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13