Mattie Jean Sampson-Brown

Mattie Jean Sampson Brown was born on May 6, 1941 to Lucius and Ella Mae Sampson in Laurel, Mississippi. Raised in Laurel with her five siblings, Mattie attended Oak Park High School and served the Lord at Calvary Baptist Church.

“Sis,” as she was affectionately known while growing up, was petite but always carried a big stick —something her students would later learn firsthand.

Mattie graduated from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1964, and she earned a Master’s of Education degree from Xavier University in 1976. She was an elementary school teacher for 30 years and taught at Winton Forest Elementary School for 25 years until she retired in 2001. Retirement didn’t last long as Mattie served as an adjunct assistant professor at the College of Education atthe University of Cincinnati, where she supervised student teachers, retiring again in 2010.

She had an impact on countless students, those in her classes and outside of them, and they would often call to share news of their graduations, degrees earned and other successes.

Mattie joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 1978 and was active in the Family Life Ministry, Mature Saints Ministry and Quilting Ministry, taught at Vacation Bible School and was a faithful participant of weekly adult Bible study.

Mattie loved to laugh, always had a sense of humor and never shied away from giving hugs. “I just go right in for them,” she once said. She was an avid tennis fan and watched countless matches on TV. She enjoyed reading and loved playing Scrabble on her iPad. She’d regularly beat the computer without breaking a sweat and held the winning edge against her kids. She loved being “Grams” to Winston and Alex and spoiled them every chance she got.

She also enjoyed traveling, especially taking cruises. The family joke always was, “Where is Calvin driving ‘Miss Daisy’ this week?”

Mattie was preceded in death by her father, Lucius Sampson; mother Ella Mae Sampson; stepmother Luella Sampson; and sisters Cora Sampson Futrell and Eloise Sampson Crockett.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband of 53 years, Calvin; children Florence and Scott (Tracey); grandsons Winston and Alex; brothers Edward (Ada), Mackey (Marva) and LeRoy (Becky); sister-in-law Charlene (Greg); brother-in-law Ronnie (Kay);and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.