ATHENS Sam L. Feezell, 81, of Athens, died Tuesday morning, September 7, 2010, at his residence.A native of Meigs County, he was the son of the late Rev. Lee Asbury and Nettie Hope Feezell.He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, a member of BPOE #1927 and the Springbrook Golf and Country Club. He was owner and President of Athens Insurance Agency for 25 years, until his retirement in 1984. Later he played a supportive role in the development of Insurance Incorporated of Athens.Sam was an avid reader of history, biography and auto-biography, having read more than 3,000 books following his retirement. Sam never tired of learning. Sam treasured his family and friends, holding their accomplishments in the highest esteem and always desiring to help people in their chosen endeavors. His success was centered around his kindness and loyalty to people and principles. He was a lover of all creation; adoring the rivers, streams and lakes, appreciating the oceans, letting the hills, mountains, and plains serve as his special inspiration. Animals, wild and tame, were his companions. Elevating his dogs and cats to the highest level, he gave them care and treatment that reflected the real love and devotion held in his heart. Nature's intrigue led him to acquire home sites of special aesthetic appeal in McMinn and Meigs counties and in Sarasota and Marco Island, Florida. He was always surrounded by beauty; the tall pine reaching to the sky, the luscious petals of a red rose, the lilies languishing by the lake, the paintings of local artists fed his sensitive soul. His taste in fashion, boats, cars and other personal items indicated his joy in the exquisite. He was known to have the Golden Touch in all of his ventures.He is survived by his wife; Nancy Thornburg Feezell of Athens; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and William Smith of Lexington, Ky., Mary Grace and Paul Starnes of Chattanooga; one niece and her husband, Wendy and Jeff Robertson of Germantown, Tenn.; and their children, Delaney and Lindsay Robertson. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., Friday, September 10, 2010, in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Dennie Humpreys officiating.Entombment will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m., today, September 9, 2010. Pallbearers will be Mike Bevins, Bill Biddle, Guy Baker, Carey Carroll, Bill Chesnutt. Rick Lay, David Melton, Jack O'Donnell and Hoyle Priest.Honorary pallbearers will be Lahiri Gorah, Jeff Robertson and his former Associates at Athens Insurance Agency.The family suggests memorials to Friendly Fellows Club, P.O. Box 340, Athens, TN 37371-0340, or McMinn Regional Humane Society, P.O. Box 7, Athens, TN 37371-0007 or McMinn County Cancer Relief Fund, P.O. Box 536, Athens, TN 37371-0536. If you are unable to attend this service or visitation you may sign the guest register at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com.Smith Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Athens is serving the family of Sam L. Feezell