Charles W. Samples

Charles William Samples, 70, Johnson City, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2009 at his residence. Mr. Samples was a native of Cocke County. He worked and lived in several states, and returned to Carter County, where he has resided since 1990. He was a son of Edith R. 'Becky'? Samples, Johnson City, and the late Hollie Samples. Mr. Samples graduated from Happy Valley High School in 1956, attended ETSU, and graduated from UT Knoxville in 1964, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was an employee of B.F. Goodrich for over 25 years and retired from North American Rayon Corporation. Mr. Samples was a US Air Force veteran. He was preceded in death by one infant son, Charles Bradley Samples, one brother, Hollie C. Samples, and his biological mother, Eula Ailene Edwards. In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of 46 years, Sharon Francis Samples; two daughters, Melinda Kovach and husband, Jim, Plymouth, Minnesota, Laura Nicholson and husband, Dwayne, Reynoldsburg, Ohio; grandchildren, Andrew and Natalie Kovach and Celestia Nicholson; three sisters, Shelby Head, Jonesborough, Betty Whittemore and husband, Tom, Johnson City and Sarah Gentry and husband, Wayne, Johnson City; one brother, John Samples and wife, Patti, Snellville, Georgia, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service for Mr. Samples will be conducted at 7 pm Monday, February 23, 2009, from the Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. Reverend Harold McNabb will officiate. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 pm Tuesday at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 12 noon and travel in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlie and Jane Bayless Scholarship Fund, 138 Wildwood Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601 or the American Heart Association, Washington County Unit, First American Center, 208 Sunset Drive, Suite 595A, Johnson City, TN 37604.