Lillie Mae Samples, 91, of Dawsonville, died Aug. 25, 2011.

Born Jan. 20, 1920 in Forsyth County to the late Charlie and Minnie Martin, she had lived in Dawson County since 1955 having moved from DeKalb County.

A homemaker at her death, she was formerly employed by Sweet-Orr for 22 years. Mrs. Samples possessed a passion for her family, cooking, canning, her flowers, gardening and travel.

She was a devoted member of McKees Chapel United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, W.Z. "Buck" Samples; daughter-in-law, Annie Dean Samples; sisters, Dorothy Stone, Jeanette Webb; and brother, C.T. Martin.

Survivors include her children, Beverly and Dean Ball, Charles Samples, Connie Samples, Truman and June Samples, all of Dawsonville, Geraldine Whaley of Miami, Fla.; grandchildren, Lisa Whaley and Sergio Sigala, Jason and Tara Ball, Bobby and Julie Samples; great-grandchildren, Zachary Samples, Hailey Samples, Cloe Sigala, Kian Sigala, Georgia Lillie Sigala; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Aug. 28 at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Sven Mossinger and Phil DeMore officiating. Interment followed in the McKees Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.