Rev. Samuel A. Blow, pastor of New Zion Hill

The Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Blow, the pastor of New Zion Hill Baptist Church in East Baltimore, died of cardiac arrest Oct. 9 at Union Memorial Hospital. The Northeast Baltimore resident was 69.

Born in Turner’s Station, he was the son of Milton Blow, a Bethlehem Steel worker and his wife, Viola. He attended Baltimore County Schools and was a Dundalk High School graduate.

He joined the old Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co. and was a cable splicer. He later became a manager for Verizon, from which he retired.

“He was in Philadelphia for a workrelated event,” said his wife, Shelley Buynum. “My husband told me the Lord visited him and called him to the ministry while on this work assignment.” He then enrolled and received degrees from Shaw

University, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, and the Philadelphia Bible Institute College.

Over the years he served the New Friendship Baptist Church at Eager and Bond streets and the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Belvedere Square, and was pastor at New Zion Hill Baptist Church on East North Avenue.

A sports fan and golfer, he enjoyed watching the Ravens.

“He liked college basketball over professional basketball,” his wife said.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Israel Baptist Church, 1200 N. Washington St. In addition to his wife of 43 years, a retired Verizon supervisor in the Inner Harbor customer service office; a son, Daryl Blow; a daughter Kyanni Fleming, both of Baltimore; and three grandchildren.