Barbara Miller Samples, 78, of Covington, passed away October 31, 2013. She was a former member of Lakewood Heights Baptist Church in Atlanta.

In 1972, Mrs. Samples moved her membership to the First Baptist Church, in Covington, where she taught Sunday School and attended the Lamp Bearers Sunday School Class. Her family was her priority, and while her children were young she volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother. In addition, she was involved with several civic groups and charitable organizations, including the DeKalb Junior Woman’s Club, where she was awarded the Irene J. Watts Award in 1969.

Mrs. Samples worked in many occupations, including Georgia Highway Express, Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Rich’s Department Store, and the Medical Arts Pharmacy. She had a lifelong love for horses, and showed Arabian horses over the southeastern United States for more than 30 years. She enjoyed roller skating and traveling with her husband and the Georgia Senior Golfers Association. Mrs. Samples was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth (Kesler) Miller; and her brothers, Ralph Miller and Cecil Miller.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years, Robert E. (Bob) Samples; daughter, Brenda Gail Jones, of Covington; son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Karen Samples, of Suwanee; grandchildren, Robert Coleman Jones, Melissa Kessler Jones, Trevor Colin Samples, and Chloe Brittain Samples; sisters, Betty Davis, of Hoschton, and Runnell Lykins, of Peoria, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Samples will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Charles Reynolds officiating, and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 4–6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, Covington. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to First Baptist Church, c/o Sanctuary Renovation Fund, 1139 Usher St. NW, Covington, Ga. 30014.

To place online condolences, visit www.caldwellandcowan.com.