Come celebrate the life and graduation of our mother and friend, Melva Dean Major-Samples [Monday, October 05, 2009 age 84]. Her loving saying was "to absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord" is now true for Melva. The family is at peace because they knew Melva is with her Lord. She considered any work for God a privilege. She lived a life to honor God the best she could. John 13:33 "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Melva lived her life following the principles and teachings of her Lord. As we celebrate Melva's life, let us remember her devotion to the Lord and her strong spirit which embraced the teachings of the Lord.

Born to Joseph C. [January 6, 1973 age 75] and Jewell (Lamb) [March 31, 1992 age 93] Major on Hillcrest, in Evansville, Indiana, on September 9, 1925. She survived the 1937 flood and she was named after a woman on the Titanic, Melvina Dean. Her father crafted the first double neck guitar in Evansville. From her father, she received her musical ability. She played the piano, the mandolin and the accordion. She was proud of her Cherokee Indian heritage. Melva attended Lodge Elementary School and Bosse High School earning her GED and tassel from Bosse in 1980. Melva met and married a young man named Omer Samples. They enjoyed 49 years of marriage together before Omer was called home to his Lord. Omer and Melva celebrated as they welcomed their children, sons, Joseph, Robert, Roy and Mark and adopted son, John, and daughter, Mary. These children brought much joy and happiness to their parent's lives. Eventually she rejoiced as she welcomed her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. These youngsters were the highlight and delight of Melva's life.

Melva was saved at Fares Avenue in a Vacation Bible School at the age of 19. Melva's life reflects a long history of walking in the footsteps of her Savior; teaching and singing in many locations, she was referred to as "the Kate Smith of the Gospel." She sang for many years on WGBF radio and many local TV stations. Attending the Rescue Mission, Melva was referred to by many as the "basket lady" co-coordinating for over 50 years the Thanksgiving Basket Program. For many years, Melva has taught the gospel of Christ and read her Bible with many Women Devotionals. In Evansville, Melva passed out the Daily Bread Devotional Books with Sister Margaret and Sister Mary George Kissel of the Reading Carol. She was always helping devoted friends and Prayer Partners with her generous spirit and helpful prayers. Melva helped to build two orphanages with her husband, Omer.

For many years, Melva attended Vann Avenue Baptist Church with her son, Mark. She was a Pink Lady at St. Mary's Medical Center and Regina Pacis Nursing Home for 17 years. Melva helped feed triplets born at a local hospital in 1950. Melva was very active in politics in her younger years serving as a Precinct Committee woman. Melva lived and worked as a volunteer at Camp Reveal with her family as a caretaker of the camp for many years. With her husband, Omer, she designed and helped to build many homes. She dearly loved her home in McCutchanville, Ind. Melva or "Mebie" loved her garden. Her garden was like a "little bit of Heaven" out in McCutchanville. She canned her own food as well as baking and making jellies. Talented with her hands, she was an excellent seamstress. She loved going to Bosse High with her grandson, J.T. Jones for choir and sports events and she even attended Senior Night for his football game when she had a fractured neck. "Webbles" as some call her, would like to establish a Scholarship in her name at Bosse High School. Her children reminisced that Melva felt a "good mind is a shame to waste." Melva loved lighthouses. She believed Jesus was her lighthouse. Because of her love for lighthouses, her son, Roy, and his family, took Melva coast to coast to see the lighthouses on our shores. She had traveled all over the United States and witnessed the reason she was proud of her country, patriotic and proud to be an American. She began a stamp collection for her grandson, Robert. She has requested no flowers that she cannot see. Her dear son, Timmy, kept her in flowers while she was with us on Earth.

Please come to celebrate Melva's life, and how her life touched yours. "Life is like climbing stairs, Onward and Upward, up to the Light. Both worth the Battle and both worth the fight." In Melva's words, "I love my children and I love my God that has delivered me, I'm free and home with My Family I love so dearly, so don't cry for me." Melva's family would like to say a special "thank you" to Dr. Nicholson, Vibrant, Jeannie, Vallerie and Cindy. A special thanks to her other daughter, Kathy Coomes; Cynthia Nicholson, Sister Shirley, Gary McDaniel Family, Grandpa and Grandma Jones, all the neighbors in Park Place for all their care and support and prayers, Zesto on Riverside. The children would like to thank their work families Evansville Water Dept., Continued Care East and West and Walmart East.

Funeral services are planned for 10 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Browning Funeral Home 738 Diamond Ave., with Pastor David Schultz officiating. Burial will follow at New Onton Cemetery, Onton, Ky.

Friends may visit from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2009, at Browning Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Public Education Foundation for the Melva Dean Major Samples Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1163 Evansville, IN 47706.

October 08, 2009
To Mary and her family, I know you will miss her presence with you but what a bless to know she is home with the Father. She has touched our lives and blessed as she did many. Our prayers are with you. Love Eugene
and Jeannie Evans

October 08, 2009
My deepest sympathies to the kids. Growing up we came to Evansville to see Granny and Pa. Most of the time we was lucky enough to also see our aunts and uncles. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you all. Rick and Cheryl (Major)Matthews, Cisne, Illinois

October 08, 2009
My deepest sympathies to Mary and family. May you find comfort in your precious and cherished memories of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Nicki Bruce, Princeton, Indiana

October 08, 2009
I will miss Aunt Meb very much but I will always have her with me in my heart. I will be forever greatful for knowing her and having her in my life. As a child she taught me to Love the Lord and to always put him first in all you do. I did not learn this by what she said but how she lived.... Thanks so much. Brent Owen, Evansville, Indiana

October 09, 2009
My sympathies to all of you. I will never forget Aunt Meb, she loved all of us. I'm excited about her new "home". I know the flower beds are beautiful there and that she is so pleased to be there. I am thinking about you. Angela Major-Vaughan, Fairfield, Illinois