Lucille Bays Sampson
Lucille Bays Sampson, 94, of Jefferson, Ga., passed away Nov. 25, 2015.
Lucille was born on Jan. 27, 1921 in Rainsboro, the daughter of John Oran Post and Bertha Mae Glaze Post.
Lucille was a proud wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was surrounded by family and friends in her final days at Gentiva Hospice in Athens, Ga.
During the Second World War, Lucille served in the war effort, supplying troops overseas. She planted her roots in Ohio’s Ross and Highland counties for nearly 87 years. She was devoted to her husband of 37 years, Benjamin Harrison Bays, until his passing June 26, 1981. Ben and Lucille chose Hillsboro to raise their son and daughter. They were active in their church and community, loved to travel and enjoyed many friends. In 1987, Lucille married John Theodore “Ted” Sampson of Hillsboro, her husband and partner for 21 years until his passing in 2008.
Lucille was a member of Hillsboro Church of Christ since 1951. She was a 67-year member of Eastern Star, where she received her 60-year pin in 2008. Other organizations included Emblem Club, Women’s Club, Homemaker’s Club, Highland District Hospital Auxiliary, Dogwood Twig, The Farm Bureau and Hillsboro High Booster Club. Devoted to her family, she was involved in any activity to support her children and their schools.
In 2008, Lucille moved to Athens, Ga.to be near her children and grandchildren. She claimed all who loved her as “family” and was seen as a surrogate mother in return.
Lucille had a sense of fun, fashion and zest for life. She loved music and dancing and was a star at trivia. She was consistently described by her friends and caregivers as a loyal friend and confidante.
She is survived by her son, John Douglas Bays (Tomi) of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter, Sharon Bays Johnson (Greg) of Athens, Ga.; grandchildren, Jennifer Bays Brown (Byron) and Bradley Graham Bays (Lindsay); three great-grandchildren, Taylor Madison Brown, Rufus Byron Brown V and Henley Woodruff Bays; four stepchildren, Hydee Schraw (Kenneth) of Oviedo, Fla., Margaret Harshbarger (Kenneth) of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Col. Ronald Sampson (Bobbi) of Hillsboro and Thomas Sampson of Middletown; 15 stepgrandchildren; and 20 step-great-grandchildren. Special thanks to these friends who gave her comfort and support: her loving caregivers Deb, Kimberly and Terry; and her Bible study leader, Peter Wood.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 at the Thompson Funeral Home with John Porter officiating. The Eastern Star Service will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by visiting hours from noon until time of services. Burial will follow at the Bainbridge Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.thompsonfuneralhomes.com.