Joshua E. Samples

Joshua E. Samples was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on April 16, 1965 and was called home on September 1, 2020. He was the ninth of thirteen children, and one of three sets of twins, born from the union of Zethalene C. (Dean) and Ira L. Samples. 

Joshua completed elementary school in the Hamilton Public School District of Ohio before going on to attend St. Ann’s and Stephen T. Badin High School, respectively. Joshua was recruited to play football at Austin Peay University but missed his family and transferred to Ohio State University for a year before receiving his BS in Business Administration at the University of Cincinnati, followed by his Masters of Business Administration at Xavier University.

Joshua was inducted into the Badin-Hamilton Catholic-Notre Dame Hall of Fame in 2012 for his leadership and skills as a hard-running fullback. He was also named a YMCA Black Achiever for his accomplishments in the business arena, his community involvement and his mentoring to local high school students. At Community School of Davidson in North Carolina he was a beloved football and basketball coach where his absence will be profoundly felt.

Joshua enjoyed a long career in the insurance industry and stories abound from his time with Main Street America Group, Federated Rural Electric   Insurance Exchange, Fogle Insurance, Montgomery Insurance, and the company where he got his start, Cincinnati Financial Corporation. 

Joshua met the love of his life Heidi Hemphill in 1986 and, they married on September 3, 1994. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin, and uncle who will be most remembered for his infectious laugh. Joshua had a smile that absolutely brightened a room. 

Joshua is preceded in death by his father, Ira L. Samples and his twin brother, Joseph Samples. Left behind to cherish his wonderful memory are his wife, Heidi Samples; his children: Olivia Ann, Noah Emmanuel, Langston Isaiah and Sophia Grace; and his mother, Zethalene C. Samples of Hamilton, OH. He is also survived by his siblings: Demetrius Samples of Denver, CO, Zipporah Samples (Henry) Jackson of Hamilton, OH, Isaiah Samples of   Houston, TX, Lamidia Hayes of Aurora, CO, Lamidius (Thumnieb) Samples of Hamilton, OH, Saymara (Lonnie) Nicks of Killeen, TX, Malachi Samples of St. Paul, MN, Dr. Faith Samples-Smart of Charlotte, NC, Dr. Lydia Samples (Kevin) Mattison of Louisville, KY, Lydell Samples of Lebanon, OH, Hezekiah (Nicole) Samples of Fairfield Township, OH, Siyon (Antwon) Ware and Siyonda (Carlos) Nadal of Hamilton, OH, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The absence of his laughter and the warmth of Joshua’s smile will leave an immeasurable hole in the lives of many. He will truly be missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joshua’s honor to:
Community School of Davidson
404 Armour StreetDavidson, NC 28036
 

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