Bettye L. (Raney) Sample

Betty L. Sample, 64, of Poplar Bluff died Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St., Louis.

Mrs. Sample was born July 11, 1947 in Pocahontas, Ark. She was a member of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, and was employed as an E.R. nurse at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Sample enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and reading.

On Dec. 28, 1969, she married Michael A. Sample in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Sample preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1994.

Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Annette Sample-Harper of Little Rock, Ark. and Ayana Reneé Sample of Atlanta, Ga.; the mother that raised her, Freda Ballard of Poplar Bluff; two grandchildren; five sisters, Laura Williford of Pocahontas, Ark., Carolyn Kurney of Kansas City, Mo., Margaret Moss of Little Rock, Ark., Joyce McDonald of Poplar Bluff and Denise Ballard of Seattle, Wash.; and four brothers, Levi Anderson of Newport, Ark., Henry Raney of Fairview Heights, Ill., Hurley Raney of Poplar Bluff and Jerrick Raney of Tacoma, Wash.

Her parents, Harrison Henry Raney and Earnestine Grace Cole Raney also preceded Mrs. Sample in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, 417 Oak St. in Poplar Bluff with Pastor William Harrold officiating. Burial will be at the City Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.