Samuel Charles Carraway's Obituary
Samuel “Sam” Charles Carraway
Aug. 5, 1947 – Oct. 24, 2025
Samuel “Sam” Charles Carraway, loyal husband and father, beloved special education teacher at Champ Cooper Elementary School, and resident of Mandeville, died Oct. 24, 2025, at age 78.
Mr. Carraway taught for almost 20 at Champ Cooper in Ponchatoula. As a dedicated special education teacher, he was devoted to working with students with disabilities. As an avid artist, he not only taught the students their lessons, but shared his love of drawing and painting, reminding the children that by creating they could find joy.
He brought his ever-present smile and gentle spirit to the school, rolling through the hallways on his scooter, brightening the days of students and faculty alike. Each holiday season, he became CCES’s beloved Santa Claus, donning a red velvet suit, giving children rides and handing out small gifts. He was also a member of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
Mr. Carraway and his wife, Sharon, shared a deep love and appreciation for each other. They bonded over an interest in art, creating drawings and paintings featuring Louisiana foliage, birds and animals, which are available to view through Carraway Artworks. He was a member of St. Tammany Art Association.
He enjoyed spending time with family, sailing on Lake Pontchartrain, and watching sunsets over the water. He loved the beach, traveling to the Florida panhandle whenever he could. A great fan of the Louisiana State University football team, he enjoyed following the LSU players as they made their way from college ball into the NFL, and cheering on their achievements and advancements.
Born and raised in Baton Rouge, he received a bachelor’s degree in history from LSU. After working as a printer in Denham Springs for many years, he pursued his passion to teach and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University.
A devout Catholic, he attended St. Joseph Seminary during high school, from 1961 to 1963, and graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. Each morning, he posted the daily Mass readings on Facebook. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Visitation will be at Our Lady of the Lake, 312 Lafitte Street in Mandeville, on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10:30 a.m. until a Catholic Mass at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will be in the Mandeville Garden Mausoleum at Mandeville Cemetery, which is bounded by Montgomery, Villere and Foy Streets and Little Bayou Castine.
Mr. Carraway is survived by his wife Sharon Ann Carraway, son Danny Carraway; daughter, Anna Dry Mylie, son-in-law Earl Mylie, grandchildren, Jude and Katherine Mylie and Hunter Dry; nephews, Michael Caston and Gabriel J. Clothier; niece, Dawn Caston; aunt, Nancy Edna Carraway Stubbs, cousins and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Brenda Kay Lewis Carraway, his son, Michael Hunter Dry; sisters Frieda C. Clothier and Cecelia Anderson; parents, Rece and Marie Carraway as well as numerous aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home in Covington is in charge of arrangements.
Link for the donation:
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sl=donate-now&sc_dcm=119578261625&sc_cid=kwp&&&&&gclid=e279b1d6f8f11d005087d8d482a06c3f&gclsrc=3p.ds&ds_rl=1285465&ds_rl=1291300&msclkid=e279b1d6f8f11d005087d8d482a06c3f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=M%20-%20Core%20Brand%20EX%20EL&utm_term=st%20jude%20children%27s%20research%20hospital&utm_content=PM_PR_Dig_Srch_PM_AO_US_Nat_MS_M-Ads_LF_-_-_-_SERP-Exct_Srch-B_-_-_-_Core_-_EL_-_-_Srch
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