Virginia Elizabeth Samples was born November 3, 1944, to the union of Randall N. Samples Sr. and Etha C. Samples (Muggah), in Chicago, Illinois. Virginia , fondly know as "Virgie", completed elementary school at Copernicus Elementary in June 1958. She completed her High School education at Englewood High School in June 1962.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Chicago Teachers College. She then received a dual graduate degree from Illinois Institue of Technology (Master of Information Systems and Master of Business Administration.)
She was employed as a Chicago Public Schools teacher, a computer programmer for the Signode company, and finally as a systems analyst for the Chicago Water Reclamation District and retired there in 2004.
Virginia leaves to mourn her passing her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Loving mother of Jeffrey C. Pope (Christen), Malik S. Walls (Alfreda), Jai R. Pope, Sr. (Annie) and Jaiya E. Pope; cherished grandmother to R-Yana, Jarett, Jacey, Mathieu, Isiah, Marissa, and Jai Jr., dear sister of Emily A. Horton and Dolores M. Samples; proud great grandmother of Mikaelyn, Mariyah, Me'Khai. A host of other family and friends will also cherish her memory.
Funeral will occur Friday, July 31, 2026, with family and friends gathering from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Blake -Lamb Funeral Home, followed by a chapel funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment at Lincoln Cemetery, 12000 S. Kedzie Avenue, Blue Island.
