NATCHEZ — Samuel Washington held many titles in the Miss-Lou community. From head coach of Jefferson County boys and girls teams to being a chain gang member for the Alcorn State Braves for more than 40 years, Washington left an impact on the lives of many Miss-Lou citizens.

But on Aug. 27, the community lost an integral sports figure, whose contributions go beyond wins and losses at Jefferson County.

Former Jefferson County player Carl Nichols, who went on to play basketball at Mississippi State, said Washington gave everything to his players — including money, transportation and fatherly advice.

“I was at the funeral wondering why they didn’t have my name on the family page,” Nichols said. “What I didn’t realize is that it wasn’t just me who felt like he was a father figure, but he made everybody feel special like that. You always knew he had your best interests in mind.”

The numbers speak for itself — his wife Gladys Washington might have lost count of her husband’s total wins after win 900, but school officials confirmed it was close to 1,000 wins. Washington started coaching at Jefferson County in the late 1960s up until the early 90s.

Washington’s legacy lives on through his former players, who have gone on to play college ball and help future generations in the area. One particularly, Jefferson County head coach Marcus Walton, took what he learned from Washington and to this day tries to reteach his methods to current Jefferson County players. As head boys basketball coach since 1998, Walton has many memories of sentimental hugs in the dressing room from his former coach before games, and he even gave credit to his former coach for his last district title.

“It’s funny because in 2013, when we last won district, I had Coach Washington address the team before practice,” Walton said. “I just wanted them to hear what I heard in high school. I don’t think it’s a coincidence we won district that year.”

Walton said he hopes to have black patches with “SW” on Jefferson County jerseys this season to commemorate Washington. He said he also plans to have a moment of silence in Washington’s honor in the first home game of the season.

Washington’s heart problems caught up with him in March, and he unfortunately died in August of congestive heart failure at the age of 82. Former basketball players planned a cookout for him the Friday after he died before news reached them. Gladys said it was normal for his former players to plan something for their old coach.

“They loved him so much that I had to stop going to Wal-Mart with him,” Gladys said. “We would be there all night talking to old players and students. It’s because he gave them money to buy food and cared for kids when their families went through a crisis. He had relationships with parents as well. He was just beloved in the community.”

Gladys acknowledged that basketball was Samuel’s No. 1 passion, but he put the players before anything else.

As a former player and current coach of the team Washington used to coach, Walton remembers and tries to do the same.

“If I can do half of the things he did in my coaching career, I will really consider it a success,” Walton said.