LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mary Helen was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Aug. 19, 1924, to Colon and Elizabeth (Bessie) Taylor.

Mary Helen attended E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville during this time she met George H. Sampson. George was so taken by her poise and demeanor that the day after they met he wrote Mary Helen a note asking if he could walk her home from school.

After graduating high school in 1942, Mary Helen went on to attend Morgan State University in Baltimore. On June 18, 1943 she married George H. Sampson In New York City.

In 1945, Mary Helen decided to continue her education at Oakwood University where she complete her teaching certificate and was a school teacher at Abney Chapel Seventh-day Adventist School in Fayetteville, NC where she was adored and esteemed by both students and faculty.

Between the years of 1944 and 1965, Mary Helen and George had 12 children, six boys and six girls. After more than 20 years of teaching, Mary Helen had a desire to further her education and at the age of 44 she enrolled in a nursing program, and one year later emerged into the health care workforce.

Of all her accolades Mary Helen was most proud of her family. She spoke endlessly of the joys of raising 12 wonderful children.

In 1995, Mary Helen and George retired and left New York, and moved westward to be closer to their ever-growing family. The two settled in Lakeport, where two of their children had recently relocated. In no time they embraced the warm community, taking on leadership positions in the local church and spending time with their family.

Mary Helen passed away July 2, 2018, peacefully in her sleep at the home of Helen Vernetta and Fred Johnson.

She is remembered by her loved ones as an angel lent to earth for nearly a century; a woman after God’s own heart. Some have said, “If you want a description of Mary Helen just read aloud the fruits of the spirit.” There aren’t enough noble words to describe her, but we honor her memory today, and every day, until we meet again.

Mary Helen is survived by her husband of 75 years, George Henry Sampson Sr.; her children, George Sampson Jr. (Judy Sampson), Paula K. Brown (Freddie Brown), Reginald Sampson (Gervel Sampson), Alan Sampson (Kathy Sampson), Helen Vernetta Johnson (Frederick Johnson), Arlene LuValle Johnson (Deora Johnson), Carlton Sampson (Bethany Sampson), DeVora Renee Winkfield (Kenneth Winkfield), Michael Sampson (Mary Jo Sampson) and Sonya Sampson; and her predeceased children, the late James Colon Sampson (living spouse Ann Sampson) and Gwendolyn Sampson; her 30 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Monday, July 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at the Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, July 21, at 3 p.m. Mary Helen will be buried at the family cemetery in Fayetteville, NC.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.