Barbara Ann Sampson

Bluefield, WV- Barbara Ann (Ann) Sampson was born Barbara Ann Wechsler on September 30, 1942 in Indiana to James and Julia Wechsler. Ann graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis in 1960 then attended Purdue University. The family moved to Michigan, and Ann transferred to Michigan State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism in 1965. After graduation, Ann worked as a civilian for the Wright Patterson AFB newsletter where she met Charles William (Chuck) Sampson, an active duty Air Force officer. She accepted a transfer to Japan while Chuck went on duty to Viet Nam. In 1967 Ann and Chuck married in Saigon, Viet Nam, where they lived until Chuck’s next assignment brought them to Offut AFB in Omaha, NE where their son Clay Edward was born on July 27 1972. After Chuck’s retirement in 1974, Ann and he moved to Bluefield, WV where they bought a real estate business. Ann became active in the local Garden Club, serving as West Virginia State President and National President. Ann continued her education through coursework at local and regional schools, earning her Master Gardner certification while remaining an avid gardener, Garden Club member, and singing in the Bland Street United Methodist Church choir. After Clay graduated college, Ann and Chuck travelled the US and, after Chuck’s passing in 2004, Ann travelled locally and abroad with friends. In 2013, declining health prompted Ann to move from Bluefield to Fredericksburg, VA to be near Clay. She passed in her sleep in Fairfax Virginia shortly after a visit from Clay, his wife Karen, Ann’s sister Debbie and Debbie’s family. Ann is survived by her son Clay, grandsons Alex and Grant, granddaughter Summer, daughter-in-law Karen, sister Debbie, nephew Zach, brother-in-law Jeff, and cousins Denny (Brad) and Jimmy. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Thursday June 16, 2016 from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday June 17, 2016 at Bland Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Joseph Geiger officiating. Memorial donations may be made to CurePSP online at http://www.psp.org/donate/ways-to-give.html, by phone at 800-457-4777, or by mail to: CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Barbara Ann Sampson.

Barbara Ann Sampson

September 30, 1942 - June 3, 2016