Mrs. Marjorie Haywood “Marge” Sampson, a long-time resident of Dayton, Ohio, passed away after a lengthy illness on March 20, 2022 at the age of 88 at Brookdale Senior Living. The only child born to Curtis Jones Haywood and Polly A. Haywood, she was born on November 19, 1933 in Gurley, Alabama. Marjorie graduated from high school in her hometown, and attended Alabama A & M University in nearby Huntsville, Alabama. She moved to Dayton shortly after graduating college and met the love of her life, Plummer A. Sampson, Jr. They were united in marriage in 1953 and shared more than 59 blessed years together before the passing of her beloved husband in 2012.
During those early years, Marjorie became a member of Resurrection Catholic Church, and began raising their children in 1954. Their union produced three children, Michael L. Sampson (Carol C.), Deborah Michelle Sampson (Richard Spencer) and Stacey Renee Sampson (Kelvin McKinney), all of whom will forever cherish her loving memory.
Marjorie provided a loving and enriching experience for her family, sharing her love of reading and passing on the Christian values she’d been taught as a young girl to her children. She enjoyed sewing, and she had a flair and love of style and fashion all her own. She encouraged her children to participate in activities that included sports and dance, and was an active presence in all they were involved in.
She began teaching once her children were all in school and earned a Masters’ degree in Early Childhood Education from Antioch College. She taught in Dayton Public schools and at Blairwood Elementary in the Jefferson Township Local Schools, from which she retired after more than 35 years. She also tutored youngsters during the summers, passionately believing in unlocking the hidden potential of children others had written off. Marjorie received many accolades over the years for her dedication to her students, including a number of Outstanding Teacher Awards. Her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was another outlet for her commitment to render service to others. Marjorie’s greatest gifts were her patience, kindness, and love for children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, USAF (RET) Col. Plummer A. Sampson, Jr., Ph. D. her parents, Curtis Jones Haywood and Polly A. Haywood, cousins Vera Bearden and James McClellan, and her beloved best friend Dorothy Harrison. She is survived by her loving children, Michael (Carol), Michelle (Rick), and Stacey (Kelvin); grandchildren Shani (Melvin), Kelcey, and Kyle; several great-grandchildren; Gregory, Gabriel, Isaiah, Michael Lynn, and Bryce; brothers-in-law, Charles (Joy) and Clarence (Jo) Sampson, and a host of nieces and nephews. Her extraordinary niece/nurse Felicia, cared for both Marjorie’s mother Polly until she passed at 106, and for Marjorie to the evening of her home-going, and other treasured caregivers including Dionne, Ashley and Tishera; and many other relatives and special friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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