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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
BASTROP — A Bastrop bishop’s memoir continues to earn accolades for its powerful narrative of faith, perseverance and overcoming adversity.
“Don’t Give Up, Keep the Faith,” written by George Sampleton, 76, is now part of the dean’s library at Yale Divinity School, adding to its recognition in prestigious libraries such as those at Texas A&M, Stanford and Brown University.
The memoir, which chronicles Sampleton’s impoverished upbringing in Gonzales during the era of racial integration, has struck a chord with academics and readers.
“You clearly have made a difference in the civil rights of people in Gonzales and Bastrop in particular, and in Texas more broadly. I salute you for your contributions,” wrote Dean Gregory Sterling in a letter to Sampleton, expressing gratitude for the book and for the life it represents.
Sampleton reflects on his journey, which took him from a childhood where meals were made of sugar to becoming a seminary-educated bishop who has helped feed the hungry and serve his community in countless ways.
“I thank God every time I look around, I look at myself and I look where I came from, there in Gonzales,” Sampleton said. “Dad couldn’t read or write or anything. He told me to remember this, he said ‘I want you to remember one thing, I won’t be able to do it, but you will.’ I’m a humble person, and I’m still that same person. It would not have happened if it had not been for God, see, God is with me. Treat people right, be humble.”
Through his story, Sampleton not only preserves his own history but also contributes to the broader African American experience in Texas, according to Robin Hutchison, associate university librarian at Texas A&M University.
“Such personal narratives, like Bishop Sampleton’s account, serve as invaluable documentation of the African American experience in Texas,” Hutchison said. “Through his story, he not only preserves personal history but also contributes to the collective understanding.”
For Sampleton, the journey to writing the book was guided by divine inspiration, the title of which reflects words of encouragement from his mother. From his childhood to military service and eventual leadership roles in multiple churches, Sampleton’s story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience and determination, he said.
“If you had me sit down and try to write a book now, I would fail. It sounds strange, but it’s true,” he said.
As the memoir reaches more readers, Sampleton stated he hopes that its message of humility and self-belief resonates with others.
