NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Keith Sam, known in New Orleans as “Umbrella Man,” died at the age of 65 on Friday, April 5 after a battle with stomach cancer.
Residents and tourists who found themselves on Canal Street may have heard him speak as he would, for 40 years, preach the word of God.
“Well, God called me to preach, and he first started preparing me for the street ministry when I was in Job Corps back in 1975,” said Sam.
The recent diagnosis of stomach cancer left Sam hospitalized.
WGNO’s LBJ did a profile on Sam back in 2016. In March, his sister Yvette Sam-Martin told crews that while he was hospitalized, he continued to battle every day.
Martin posted about her brother’s death on social media.
My brother: The Legendary Street Evangelist Keith Sam at 12:17 am heard the voice of Jesus said, “Well Done, thy good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23. Peacefully, he transitioned.
Yvette Sam-Martin
Sam told WGNO that the work he did was not done for money but to affect people in a positive way.
“I believe the Lord – through me – has made a change and a difference in the lives of a lot of people,” he says.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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