Ruth Elaine Samples

Ruth Elaine Samples, 78, of St. Albans, W.Va., passed peacefully with the love of her life and family by her side on December 9, 2023 after a short illness. Ruth loved her people and animals like a saint. She had a heart of gold and dedicated her life to helping others. Even through illness and pain, she always put the needs of others before her own. Ruth was born on March 26, 1945, in Kanawha County, W.Va., to William “Bill” and Blanche Womack. She was a farm girl, born and raised, harvesting tobacco, canning vegetables and venison, and nurturing back to life any living thing. Throughout her life, she worked as a veterinarian assistant, medical secretary, and mortgage loan officer. When she was a little girl, her dream was to have an orphanage. She married her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Samples on October 23, 1962. Together they bought a farm, and opened their home and hearts to more than 100 foster children and too many animals to count over the years. They had 3 children and adopted 5 more. She modeled the definition of unconditional love. Her nurturing spirit touched the lives of many. Her kindness and compassion extended beyond her immediate family, making a lasting impact on all those who knew her. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Blanche Womack, her sister, Trena Green, her daughter Tricia Easter, and her grandson Nathaniel Easter. She is survived by her husband and love of her life, Bill Samples; children, Mark Samples, Deborah Bauer (Nick), Thomas Samples (Julie), Nichol Roberts (Anna), Christina Samples (John Gaines), Jessica Syx-Dunlap (Craig), and Dakota Samples (Samantha); sisters, Judy Goodwin (Foster), Patsy Samples (Steve), and Shelly Clark (Daniel); grandchildren, Dustin (Celeste), Cearra, Isaac (Celestia), Levi, Christopher, Will, Nora, Austin, Shianah, Evan, Neveah, Harlen, and Lyric ; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Brynlee, Gracelyn, Hazeleigh, Carter, and Henry. A celebration of life will be held at Highlawn Baptist Church in St. Albans, W.Va. on Saturday, December 16th at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family may visit from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Adkins Family Cemetery, St. Albans. Ruth will be dearly missed by all, but her legacy of love and selflessness will be forever cherished and live on through the countless number of lives that she touched. You may visit Ruth’s tribute page by visiting bartlettnicholsfuneralhome.com to share condolences or memories with the family. Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue is honored to serve the Samples family.

Ruth Elaine Samples

March 26, 1945 - December 9, 2023