Abraham N. Samkutty, 83 of Lexington, SC, passed away December 17, 2025. He was born on May 3rd 1942 in Andhra Pradesh to Dr. Nilampallil Abraham and devoted nurse Annamma Abraham. He was the youngest of their family and most adored by his three elder sisters – Graceamma Abraham, the late Alice Abraham, and the late Lalitha Abraham. He was married to the late high-school Math teacher Mrs. Santhamma Varghese. He is survived by two daughters – Smitha Gianoulakis and Simi John, son-in-laws (Steven Gianoulakis and Joseph John) and three grandsons – Joshua John (15), Cash Gianoulakis (13), and Elijah John (11). 

Abraham completed his Master’s degree in English literature, he pursuing his deep passion for teaching and he followed his fearless entrepreneurship skills by starting his own tutorial center, called Gurukulam, in the city of Sasthamcotta, Kerala, India, with the hope of paving the way for everyone in his city and region regardless of their social status or background. He was well known in the community as Samkutty Sir and was well respected by his college students, peers, community, and parents of college students that he taught while he took great pride in educating and nurturing the students he taught and provided guidance, direction, and pathway to build up their confidence to follow their own passion of success. He had turned his home and surroundings into an open home where everyone felt welcome to come and knock on his door day or night for help, especially related to their children’s future. He was not only an educator, but also their friend and father figure, their elderly or younger brother, secondary caretaker, and mostly their respected Sir. 

In his 50s, after leaving India and relocating with the family to the Carolinas of USA, he loved being a part of large family and local Malayalee gatherings that brought him fond memories of his childhood in Andhra Pradesh. In the pursuit of better life for his family especially his daughters while adapting to American culture, learning to drive for the first time, adapting to change of careers in his early 60s, learning to navigate a new life in USA, and even learning to experiment in the kitchen for the first time and finding his way around in the kitchen for preparing his own meals well into his 80s. He was an adventurer of his own kind in his younger days in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, but that only continued well into the second half of life relocating to USA and in Florida during his late retirement age. 

Abraham was known as Sam Nilampallil in his books and novels that he published following his retirement, whether it was in eMalayalee or books that he enjoyed writing while remembering the early days of his personal enjoyment of reading, writing, and passion of teaching. His greatest professional accomplishment was hearing from the students that he taught in his younger days who randomly approach him later part of his life and sharing that they became successful in their lives because of his guidance, direction and individual leadership skills. 

As a grandfather, he enjoyed passing on advice to his grandchildren encouraging them to pursue education and their dreams and instilling a passion for reading and writing expressing as he did in his teaching career. He often encouraged the skills of being an author and deep passion for literature. He was an encourager when encouragement is most needed for younger generations to succeed. He enjoyed spending time with his family in Florida by visiting nearby beaches, going to children’s parks, exploring different cuisines, and learning about fishing with his grandchildren. 

He bravely fought his battle of overcoming heart diseases, remained tough through many challenges and obstacles in the recent months, and survived ups & downs of heart to renal diseases in the last days that eventually took a toll on his daily routines that he thoroughly enjoyed, including the love of Indian food and daily morning exercises around the neighborhood. He brought a smile to our faces by his reactions and his outspoken commentaries even during his last days. 

Visitation for family members will be held at 9:00 AM. Public viewing will be from 9:30AM through 11AM on Saturday, Dec 20th 2025. Funeral service will begin at 12:30 PM and Burial service to follow after 3:30 PM at Woodridge Memorial Park & Funeral Home 138 Corley Mill Rd Lexington, SC 29072. Both Visitation and Funeral Service will be held at Chapel at Memorial Park & Funeral Home.

Link for Tribucast:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f25129021813132