Jean S. Samples

Jean S. Samples, age 94, of Marion, Illinois,  passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2022  at her home in Marion, Illinois with her family by her side.

Jean was born December 12, 1927 in Easton Hampshire, England, the daughter of Thomas A. and Ellen (Webb) Sawkins. She met and later married James A. Samples in England during World War II.  Jean sailed from South Hampton, England on the ship "Saturing" to begin her new life in the United States.  She was indeed a very loving wife, mother, and grandmother to all of her 17 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.  Jean was an avid reader (Loved reading the Bible), bird watcher, and loved to travel.  She enjoyed many friendships from Europe, Australia, and coast to coast in the United States.  Her family at the Marion First Church of the Nazarene were a big part of her life.   

She is survived by two children, James M. (Kathy) Samples of Virginia Beach, VA and Mary E. Deaton of Marion, IL; four grandchildren, James Bryan (Amy) Samples, Stephanie M. (John) Joseph, David W. Deaton, and Diana M. Deaton (Bobby Shreve); ten great-grandchildren, Aaron J. Samples, Ryan M. Samples, Bennett J. Joseph, Piper Jean Joseph, Zachary A. Deaton, Christopher J. Deaton, Bryan D. Deaton, Robert Shreve, Nicholas S. Deaton, and Courtney M. (Troy) Berghoefer; and three great-great-grandchildren, Zander Deaton, Zeke Deaton, and Winnry Deaton.  She is preceded in death by her spouse James A. Samples, her parents, Thomas A. and Ellen (Webb) Sawkins and grandchildren, James Christopher Samples and Carla Jean Deaton.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 26th, 2022 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM at Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022, 1:00 PM at Mitchell Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Bobby Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Marion. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Feed the Children, or Marion First Church of the Nazarene.