MS. KAREN GAIL SAMPSON

Ms. Karen Gail Sampson, 67, was born October 5th, 1955. She entered her heavenly home on Friday March 10^th, 2023 and was greeted at the gates by her parents: Mrs. Eva B. and Mr. John W “Ned” Sampson and her big sister: Ms. Belinda Faye Sampson. In addition to her parents and sister, Karen Gail is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents: Mrs. Lillie Mae and Mr. Clyde Brewington and paternal grandparents Mrs. Bertha G. and Mr. Clifton Sampson; one uncle: Mr. Cliff “Buddy” Sampson; aunts: Ms. Jane Sampson Johnson, Ms. Jeannie B. Mandel, Ms. Ruth B. Stankiewicz; a special cousin: Ms. Ida Marie Scott along with other special family members.

Ms. Karen Gail is survived by an older sister: Mrs. Ursula S. Freeman (Weldon); a very special niece: Natalya F. Locklear (Kenwin); a great nephew: Cayten Locklear and a great niece: Charla Locklear; all whom she loved dearly. Karen Gail was a kind, loving and unique person who cared for her family. Suzanne Ems and family, Kelvin Sampson and family, special aunts Sara B. Scott, Myrtle B. Harvey, Madolyn Sampson, Shelvie Richards, an uncle Hardy L. Brewington, cousin Robin Dial, Carmie Lee Gabor, two very special lifetime friends Pam Baker and Marty Bell-Knell, fur babies Snap and Piper, among many others.

Karen Gail, Suzie, Gen Gail, aunt, sister, cousin, friend… all nicknames, relationships, and titles she cherished with adoration and carried with pride. Professionally, Karen Gail was a pharmacist working with several pharmacies throughout her career, across many portions of North Carolina for over 35 years. She realized pharmacy was her calling at a young age by asking for chemistry sets at Christmas as a child. Helping others understand and navigate medicinal use, dosage and importance was a passion. She loved her customers and her stores.  She was the go-to guru for family and friends on any type of medicine or compound…a prodigy, genius, and most intelligent person to grace our lives.

Ms. Karen was an avid traveler. She would hop in her sports cars and set out on adventure across the state of North Carolina, throughout the US and across the world. She once picked up and traveled to Europe on a two-week vacation, stating she just needed a little getaway. She was a life learner and simply adored venturing to new destinations. Her older sister often laughed with her and said her name should have been Karen Go Sampson instead of Karen Gail.

In addition to traveling, Karen Gail is remembered as a strong athlete. She was ambidextrous making her a tough opponent on the softball field, volleyball, and basketball courts while having a strong arm on the tennis court. She kept a softball glove in her car in anticipation of a pickup game she could join or simply a friendly game of catch. A fierce competitor, Karen Gail is often hailed as Mr. Ned’s most athletic child.

Although multi-talented, Karen Gail’s strongest passion was music. She attended numerous concerts in her day from the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Fleetwood Mac. Her instrument of choice was the drums, which she began playing over 50 years ago. From porch jam sessions entertaining the neighborhood, being a member of an all-girl band or an impromptu jam session for her great niece and nephew, Karen Gail loved to make music and sound. She could rock for hours on the drums and tried to encourage the same passion for music to those around her. She was the happiest while singing, listening, or joining a song with her awesome drum abilities. Music was an essential aspect of Karen Gail’s life.

Ms. Karen Gail had a smile that lit up any room, and a laugh that evoked happiness. She was tough yet a loving soul. She loved God and her family. She often spoke more than once on how great it would be to visit with her whole family and loved ones. Family was a priority, and she loved those closest to her with an unmatched love. There was nothing better than watching her great niece and great nephew perform on a stage or field, catching up with classmates, spending time with family, eating lunch with friends, or lounging in her favorite recliner. Whenever family or friends needed Karen Gail, she was always there.  Karen Gail is happy now with a healed body and spending time with her heavenly family. Karen Gail will be forever loved and missed.

The funeral will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Pembroke, Gospel Chapel with Rev. Chris Hunt officiating. Burial will follow in the Lumbee Memorial Gardens.