James Presley “Jay” Samples, 94, of Westfield, died May 2, 2014. He was born Aug. 18, 1919, in Pinkneyville, Ga., to the late Mark and Lessie McMahan Samples. Jay was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II. He was a graduate of Stetson University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He later married Mary Beatrice “Bea” Samples. After moving to Naples, Fla., in 1969, Jay worked as a regional supervisor for Southwest Florida Water Management before retiring in 1987. Jay and Bea moved to Westfield in 2005 to be near family. In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his wife; an infant son, Wayne; and two brothers, Frankie and Huland Samples. Survivors include a daughter, Jamie (Jim) Burroughs; a son, Mark Samples; four grandchildren, Nichole (Brett) Hansen, Ashley (Edward) Ingle, Jacquelyn (David) Warne and Charles Burroughs; four great-grandchildren, Jacob Ingle, Luke Hansen, Abby Ingle and Blake Hansen; and three siblings, Clois Kirkpatrick of Houston, Texas, Monroe Samples of Atlanta, Ga., and Maurice Samples of Jacksonville, Fla. A graveside service was conducted May 7 at Carmel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church (Missionary Fund), 1010 E. 126th Street, Carmel, IN 46033.
