A Celebration of Life for Thelma L. Sampson, April 13, 1916, January 22, 2007, "Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one, evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak, help the afflicted. Honor all. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.", Friday, January 26, 2007, 10:00 A.M., Murray Brothers Cascade Chapel, 1199 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia, The Reverend Robert C. Wright, Rector, Officiating

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

0' what a foretaste of glory divine!

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Angels descending, bring from above,

Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Praising my savior all the day long.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I am found, Was blind, but now I see.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I and my Savior, am happy and blessed, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Savior, all the day long.


When We All Get to Heaven

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Let us then be true and faithful,

Sing His mercy and His grace;

Trusting, serving every day;

In the mansion bright and blessed,

Just one glimpse of Him in glory

He'll prepare for us a place.

Will the toils of life re-pay.

Refrain When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We'll sing and shout, and shout the victory.

Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we'll behold Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold.

While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspreadthe sky; But when traveling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.

The family of Mrs. Thelma L. Sampson gratefully acknowledges the expressions of love, concern and support during our time of bereavement. Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered. May God richly bless and keep you.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: The Thelma L. Sampson Memorial Fund
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, RBC Centura Bank, P.O. Box 58 Buena Vista, Georgia 31803

MURRAY
BROTIIERS
FUNERAL HOME, INC.
404-349-3000 1199 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest
(corner of Cascade Rd, near 1-285)
Atlanta, Georgia 30331

MKO Graphics & Printers , Inc. 4 0 4 -5 2 3 - 1 5 6 0

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April13, 1916- January 22, 2007
"Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render to no one, evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak, help the afflicted. Honor all. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power ofthe Holy Spirit."
Friday, January 26, 2007 -10:00A.M.-
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1199 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia
The Reverend Robert C. Wright, Rector Officiating

Thelma L. Sampson, the eldest daughter of 11 children , was born on April 13, 1916 to William Green and Trudie Wade Littleton in Fort Gaines, Georgia . In 1940, she married Lonnie Morris Clark. To that union two daughters were born , Malinda Earline and Barbara Louise Clark.
Thelma received her primary education in Clay County, Georgia. Her father realized the value of an education and provided for her boarding in nearby Fort Gaines, enabling her to earn a high school diploma from Speight High School. She began her pursuit of higher education at Albany State College, where she met her future husband , Lonnie. After two years, together they transferred to Fort Valley State College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. In partnership with her husband, who served as principal of schools in Grady, Talbot and Stephens counties, she was a conscientious and dedicated educator. In 1973, Thelma moved to Buena Vista, Georgia , where she married the late Cordell Sampson. There, she continued her career as a primary school teacher and later retired after almost 40 years of committed service.
As a child, Thelma attended New Hope A.M.E. Church , where her grandfather provided the materials from which the church was built. From early childhood , her service, faith and devotion to the Lord were unwavering . Inspired by her father, a faithful church leader, she participated in every aspect of worship, including Sunday school, the church choir, and youth worship services. Throughout her adult life, she maintained active church membership wherever she resided . At Mt. Zion A.M .E. Church, Buena Vista, Thelma was an outstanding church leader, Sunday school teacher, financial class leader and choir member. Her generous donations to Mt. Zion significantly contributed to the financial stability and growth of the church.
In Buena Vista, her civic leadership involved participation in the local NAACP. Their concerted efforts to register African American voters led to the election of one of the first African American mayors in the state of Georgia. She also devoted her time, energy and resources to helping those in need , in particular through the Meals on Wheels Program . Her loyalty to church and family enriched and inspired all who knew her. Mrs. Sampson was respect~d and admired by her family, her students, and her community.
Thelma was dearly cherished by those she touched as a teacher, church member, and family matriarch. She is survived by her loving daughters, Malinda Logan and Barbara Clark; a devoted granddaughter, Deirdre Bolden (Rod) ; two beautiful greatgrandchildren, Jada Marissa and Drew Vaughn Bolden ; beloved sisters, Earline Carter (Andrew) and Hazel Daniels (Fred); faithful brothers, Rupert Littleton, Byron Littleton, and William Green Littleton, Jr. (Zera) ; nieces and nephews, Andrew L. Carter, Cynthia Teddleton, Dr. Anetia Littleton , Douglas Daniels, Anthony Littleton, and Kevin Littleton.
"Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excel/est them all. Favour is deceitful,
and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."
Proverbs 31: 25-30

PRELUDE ... ... .... ............................... ........ .. .... .................... .... .. . Trey Clegg
PROCESSIONAL
HYMN .... ...... .. .... .......... ... .... ... ... ....... ........................... "Blessed Assurance"
INVOCATION ........ ..... ........ ........... ............. ....... The Reverend Glenna Reed
Associate Rector, St. Paul 's Episcopal Church
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON , Psalm 23 ................... .. ....... ..... Byron Littleton
"Give Me Jesus" .......... .. ....... .... ...... ... .. ............ ................. .... Harriett Bowens
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON , John 14: 1-6 ... ... ..... ... .... .... ... Deirdre Bolden
"In This Very Room " ...... .......... ...... ........ ... ..... . Harriett and Eugene Bowens
EULOGY ......... ...... ... .... .. ................... .. ....... ... .. The Reverend Sherryl Sneed
Pastor, Peter's Chapel A .M.E Church, Columbus, Georgia
MUSICAL MEDITATION ......... ... .... ''Am azing Grace" .... ............. Trey Clegg
RESOLUTION .. ..... .. ...... ........ ... ....... .... ...... ...... The Reverend Sherryl Sneed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................ ...... .. ... .... .......... Mrs. Cynthia Teddleton
REMARKS AND BENEDICTION ...... ....... ... . The Reverend Robert C. Wright
Rector, St. Paul 's Episcopal Church
RECESSIONAL .. ......... .... ........ ... ... ... ....... ... " When We A ll Get To Heaven"
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New HopeA.M.E. Church Cemetery Fort Gaines, Georgia
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church 306 Peyton Road, Southwest
Atlanta, Georgia 404-696-3620