Monique Elizabeth Samples-Thompson

Monique was born to Mr. Earl Gregory Samples Sr. and Mrs. Sofronia Samples in Washington, D.C. on September 19, 1983. She joined her older sister Tracey into the Samples family, later in 1986 her brother, Earl Jr. joined the family. Monique was educated in the District of Columbia Public School system. She showed a propensity for music early in life and it was a talent that she followed and worked to develop all of her life. She began playing the euphonium at Shaw Junior High School and graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 2001.

After high school, Monique matriculated at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, majoring in music. During her time there, she pledged the Theta Xi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota in 2003, an international fraternity for women in music. She was a dynamic and valued member of the marching band during her time at Bethune Cookman University, as well as a strong student and well-liked and admired member of the university community. Monique graduated in 2006 with a degree in music.

Monique met the boy that would become the man she married, Mr. Roland S. Thompson, when they were both students at Shaw Junior High School. Their shared passion for music and teaching helped evolved their friendship to a romance and real love that would last a lifetime. They went to high school and college together, creating music and memories. Roland and Monique were joined in Holy Matrimony on June 23, 2012. They bought their first home together a few years later and were baptized together before marriage at Varick Memorial A.M.E. Church in 2011.

Monique’s professional life included educational positions at Howard University, DC Preparatory Charter School, and the Prince George’s County Public Library System. She loved nothing more than to spread the joy of music to young people. In addition to instrumental music, Monique was a talented songwriter and composer, rapper, and lyricist. She always had a special project to share with family, friends, and students.

Monique joins her parents, Earl and Sofronia Samples in Heavenly peace. She leaves to cherish her memory, her dedicated husband, Roland S. Thompson, her sister Tracey Beam and her brother Earl Samples, Jr. She is also survived by her parents-in-law, Roland & Annie Thompson, her sisters-in-law, CaShawn Thompson-Burrell (Lewis) and Arleeta Thompson-Worthy (Michael), Aunts Beverly and Robin. Also mourning her loss are her niece Taahira Thompson and nephew Isaiah Thompson. Monique will also be dearly missed by her best friends, Keyona Turpin-McCurtis and Akia Tribble. A host of other friends, colleagues, her Sorors will cherish all of the love she gave in her life.

The Family would like to thank all of the dedicated medical professionals at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Dr.Kahn and DaVita Dialysis for all the expert care provided to Monique during her time of illness.