Karen Parker Sample, beloved daughter of the late George & Catherine Parker was born November 26, 1961 in Melfa, Virginia. She departed this life on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, after enduring a lingering illness during her last 19 years.

She was educated in the public schools of Accomack County, Virginia, and the Northern Virginia Community College. On June 20, 1981, Karen was united in Holy Matrimony to her high school sweetheart Darrell Sample. This union was blessed with two children, Candice and Darrell. She was preceded in death by her twin brother Kent, who died as an infant, her parents, George and Catherine, and one sister, Amy Collins.

Karen accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was a member of Snead Memorial U.M. Church in Keller, Virginia, until she was relocated from the Eastern Shore. As a military spouse, Karen relocated several times, but always ensured her family had a stable environment within the household during periods of adjustment. Once her children were in school, Karen was employed in retail management until her illness prevented her from working outside of the home. Karen’s hobbies included creating various arts and crafts, decorating, and listening to old school music. While Karen may have enjoyed the various hobbies, those hobbies were a distant second when it came to her grandchildren, Baylee, Sanaa, and Saadiq. Karen cherished the time shared with her grandchildren, and whenever she did not see them, she was calling daily to ensure they were doing well.

Karen and her husband, Darrell, formed a bond deeply rooted in love. The joy and laughter they shared together continues to provide a lifetime of memories for Darrell and others who knew them. Throughout Karen’s illness, Darrell provided care and encouragement to Karen. Together they prayed and kept the faith until the very end. Karen loved her entire family and was quick to defend them if there were negative comments regarding them. As it is written, first remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Remembering her with love are: her husband for 36 years Darrell of Woodbridge, VA; children Candice (Akiel Smalley) of Woodbridge VA; Darrell of Woodbridge, VA; four sisters Sheron (Art) Payne of Woodbridge, VA; Kathy (Alfonzo) Custis of Melfa, VA; Matilda (Adolph) Wade of Bowie, MD; Janice (Ralph) Harmon of Temperanceville, VA; three brothers Kerby Parker of Bowie, MD; Eric (Sheron) Parker of Chicago, IL; and George Parker, Jr. of Melfa, VA; father and mother-in-law Obediah & Marion Sample of Harborton, VA; two sisters in-law, Donna Sample Smith of Norfolk, VA; and Greta Sample of Harborton, VA; two brothers in-law Maurice (Rachelle) Sample, Baltimore, MD; and Scott (Carolyn) Sample of Belle Haven, VA; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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