Grace L. Sample Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Grace L. Sample, 91, of Albia passed away January 29, 2016, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia. She was born to George and May (Tyrrel) Gray on September 28, 1924 at home in rural Marion County. She grew up and attended school in Blakesburg. On August 9, 1941 she was united in marriage to Wayne Sample Sr. To this union 6 children were born, Judith, Wayne Jr., Gary, Joyce, David, and Guy. They shared over 50 years of marriage together before Wayne's passing on March 3, 1995. Grace was a homemaker for most of her working life but helped Wayne Sr. with managing Curfew Acres Mobile Home Park and Sales. She was an author and had written over 50 short stories, a few of which were featured in Women's World and Readers Digest. She also had 2 of her novels published. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Albia for over 40 years and was very active in the women's church group. Grace had a strong relationship with Jesus. She was very artistic, a talented painter, and was an excellent cook, specifically her dinner rolls. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Judy (Dave) MacKenzie of Ottumwa, Wayne "Lee" Jr. (Linda) Sample of Albia, Gary (Twila) Sample of Albia, Joyce (John) Smithberg of Albia, and David (Rachel) Sample of Albia; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Sample; 18 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Grace is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Opal (Kenny) Huber of Albia and Naomi Sample of Tennessee; a brother-in-law, Albert Sample and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents,George and May; her husband, Wayne Sample Sr.; a son Guy Sample Sr.; a great-grandchild, William Beach; her sisters, Berniece Hartman, Pearl Campbell, Elsie Kephart, Dorothy Dorothy, Goldie Volpi and a brother, Floyd Gray. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at the Tharp Funeral Home with Grace's family will be present throughout the day and evening. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Albia with pastor Richard Grimes officiating. Burial will be in the Service Chapel Cemetery North of Albia. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Albia. Condolences may be left for the family at www.tharpfh.com.

Grace L. Sample

January 29, 1925 - January 29, 2016