Brenda Samples, 70, of Terrell, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, May 26th after a courageous battle. She was surrounded by her husband and two children at the time of her passing.
Brenda was born on October 26, 1951, to John R. (Rick) Dix and Melba June Rutledge Dix in Macomb, Illinois. She always told us she may not have been born in Texas but she got here as fast as she could as a 2-year-old. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Hobert Samples, and they wed in 1968, having two children, Rusty and Wendi. Her infectious smile and warm hugs were well known in Kaufman County. Her people loving and service career began when she found her first calling as a hair stylist and after obtaining her cosmetology license, she worked at Lavender Beauty Salon for a number of years, ultimately owning her own salon, Hair & Co.
Her love for people and her community grew and she moved into the real estate business. Over the course of her real estate career, she earned many awards, including Terrell’s Best Realtor numerous times. She listed and sold many homes in Terrell, Forney, Kaufman and all of Kaufman County, making lifelong friends with many of her clients. She was very active in the community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Terrell, Terrell Chamber of Commerce, the Volunteer Services Council for Terrell State Hospital and the Kaufman Lions Club. She was a very active supporter of many local charities and non profits. She never met a stranger and if it was August/September, you can bet she would be focused on donations for the Terrell Chamber of Commerce Annual Civic Auction.
She retired as a Broker Associate for Coldwell Banker – Apex at the pinnacle of her 35+ year career. As she looked at retirement, she had too much energy to slow down and was unable to hit the rocking chair. Brenda spent the entirety of her professional career in service to others and this led her to use her lifelong experiences and love of people to run for Tax Assessor/Collector for Kaufman County. She met many wonderful people in her trek for elected office. She was elected in 2016, taking office on January 1, 2017. Her intense focus on her team and their customer service experience made her a quick hit at the Courthouse and throughout the County. She ran unopposed in 2020 and began her second term in 2021.
On the personal side, Brenda was fantastic and wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Nana was an excellent gift giver, always keeping the gifts equal in all respects for all of her grands and great grands and regularly attending as many cheerleading, dance functions, football games, Boy Scout functions, and soccer and baseball games as possible.
She was predeceased by her parents, John R. and Melba Dix, her in laws, C.T and Betty Samples, her niece, Christi Carle, son in law, Dwight Lindsey and her brother-in-law, Curtis.
She is survived by her loving husband, Hobert, her son, Rusty and his wife, Kim, daughter Wendi and her husband, Jeremy, grand children Jamie Parrish and husband Hayden, Tyler Lindsey and his wife Cortney and Kayla Saenz and her husband Omar. She leaves her 7 great grandchildren, Cooper Attaway, Bryleigh Attaway, Stella Jane Parrish, Oaklee Lindsey, Connor MacWithey, Damien MacWithey, and Austin MacWithey with a ton of love and fond memories. She also is survived by her brothers Bill Carle (Margie), Richard Dix (Cindy), Steve Dix (Sharlene), her sister Kathy Cox (Bill) as well as her 11 nephews, their families along with a host of friends and fellow elected officials.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Volunteer Services Council for Terrell State Hospital at https://www.mightycause.com/donate/volunteer-services-council-of-terrel…
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.