Edward "E J" Leon Sample Jr.

E.J. was a blessing to Crystal and Edward; after a tragic miscarriage and seeking several medical professionals for advice, it was not until Crystal and Edward met Dr. Jeffrey M. Thurston Dallas, Texas, who was not only a medical doctor but was also a PhD in Theology with a testimony and faith in God, that they were encouraged that they too could overcome their obstacles and conceive a child. After three months of prayer and consultation, they conceived and were blessed with a very special Angel whom they called “E.J.” born on December 11, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. He was cared for in a home daycare setting by his Nana, Jean Carroll, for his first six months where she discovered E.J. was unlike any other child. After his parents relocated to Dallas, he attended daycare from six months of age until he was five years old at a Time and a Season Day School of Dallas, Texas, where he was nurtured by Sheila Berry Jones, Tiffanie Berry, Cynthia Small, and Jarrett Small. On his graduation day from daycare, he led the congregational prayer and received the Whiz Kid and Special Helper Award. E.J. attended School at A+ Charter Elementary School in Dallas, Texas. In Kindergarten, he received the academic excellence award for his class and in the first grade, was given the honor of attending 2nd Grade courses due to his reading and writing mastery level. On campus, Edward had several mothers from his teacher Sara Mahon, Sandra Hogg (Dean of Instruction), Tamera Slaughter (Instructional Coach), Michelle Thrash and Melissa Gipson (Assistant Principals). He was a child who was so full of life, empathy, energy, love, and he left a lasting impression on everyone that he met. His favorite activities involved being with his dad and sister, family game night with his mother and grandmother, Dyne Strange, and playing, singing, and loving on his little brother. He had dreams of being a software engineer because of his love of video games. He shares this love of video games with his best friend of five years, Adan Esquivel of Richardson, Texas. Because of the teachings of his parents and his surrogate mothers at A Time and A Season Day School, E.J. knew the Lord. He was always eager to lead prayer, burst into a song of worship, offer food or empathy when he saw someone less fortunate than himself, or just ask detailed questions about Heaven. He, his mother and his brother are members of Concord Church of Dallas, Texas. The evening of Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Master Edward Leon Sample, Jr., transitioned unexpectedly yet gracefully at Methodist Hospital at the age of six. E.J. was welcomed into his eternal home by his grandmothers, Creola Dudley-Coleman and Wanda Jo Eldridge; great-grandmother, Adell Strange; and great-grandfather, Walter Scott. Edward will always be remembered and loved by his mother, Crystal D. Dudley of Dallas, Texas; and father, Edward Leon Sample, Sr., of Fort Worth, Texas; his siblings, Geniya E. Sample of Everman, Texas and Jayden M. Mitchell of Dallas, Texas; grandfathers, Marcus Dudley, Sr. (Marye) of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Leon Sample, Jr., of Hubbard, Texas; great-grandmother, Inez Scott; honorary grandmothers, Dyne Strange of Dallas, Texas, and Jean Carroll of Fort Worth, Texas; aunts, Neishataka Brown (Bernard) of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Rhonda Jo Sample of Fort Worth, Texas; uncles, David Eldridge, Sr. (Ta’Tanisha) - his godparents of Fort Worth, Texas, Idimin Eldridge of Fort Worth, Texas, Keven Eldridge (Kimberly) of Menifee, California, Kelly Benson (Regina) of Crowley, Louisiana, and Marcus Dudley II (Monica) of Red Oak, Texas. He also leaves behind several cousins, friends, and extended family. E.J. is dearly missed, but will be forever celebrated by those he loved for having the honor and privilege of ushering this sweet angel through a short but extraordinary life. His loved ones are at peace with the fact that he is safe in the Arms of his Heavenly Father.