Ivory Mae Pierre was born in Moreauville, Louisiana on March 27, 1943, to the late John McKinley Pierre and Octavia Sylvain Pierre. She was the youngest of five children born to their union. She attended Dunbar High School in Simmesport, Louisiana, but later transferred and graduated from Mary McLeod Bethune High School in 1961. Ivory was fondly known as Sweetie, Mama, Mae Mae, Ms. Ivory, Ms. Sampson, or Sister Sampson, but most family members and friends from back home called her Mae.
As a youth, Ivory accepted Christ and was baptized at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church by Reverend Howard Thornton.
On July 18, 1964, she was united in marriage to Benjamin Sampson at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. To this union, two children were born: Benjamin Jr. and Brenda Gail.
When she moved to Houston, Texas, she became a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, and later became a member of Fontaine First Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor J.H. Brown. She served faithfully as a member of the usher board and later became its president.
For over 35 years, she built a successful career with Home Interiors, where she attained the position of Queen twice during her career (by amassing $300,000 in sales). As a manager, she supervised over 100 ladies, many who were also successful. She retired by 2006, but still was called upon for advice and consultation.
Ivory was preceded in death by her parents, John McKinley Pierre and Octavia Sylvain Pierre; her godparents, Pearl Franklin and Norris Jackson; her siblings, Murray Pierre (Katherine), Richard Pierre, Elizabeth Johnson (Vernon), and John Pierre Jr. (Louise); her nieces Choloris Pierre Williams and Rose Mary Blake; nephew Floyd Anderson Jr., and great nephew Percy Williams Jr.; and godchildren Jeremy Robertson and Dedra Wilson.
Her legacy and memory lives on through her husband, Benjamin Sr. of 56 years; her children, Benjamin Jr. (Sondria) and Brenda Gail; her grandchildren, Ramicia Paul (Christian), Reginald Jones Jr. (Tara), Renequa Burgess (Cory), Ramond Jones (Sade), and their families; loving in-laws Udavine Sampson Barnes, Stanford Sampson (Ruth-deceased), Mildred Sampson Anderson, Joan Sampson Hudson (Cleveland), Jonny Sampson Augustine, Peter Sampson (Vivian), Nancy Sampson Mathis, and Bernice Pierre; five nieces, Cassandra Pierre Dobbins (Donald), Sheila Pierre Dupar (Carnel), Rose James (Keller), Collette Harris, and Melissa Alexander (Reginald); a special godmother to the family, Margreat Jacobs Bush; her godchildren, Dominic Berry, Demarcus Robertson, Alandra Robertson, Reshaud Henry, Brittany Dupar; and a host of loving family members, neighbors, and friends.
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