Charles Samples

Charles Edward "Eddie" Samples, 73, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014. After graduating from Chattanooga City High School and serving honorably as an MP in the U.S. Army and in the US Army Reserves, Mr. Samples joined the Chattanooga Police Department in 1958. Under the direction of Assistant Deputy Chief Ed Norman, Mr. Samples started in the reporting division of the Chattanooga Police Department. Under Assistant Deputy Chief Norman's guidance, Mr. Samples was integral in establishing the forensic and fingerprinting division of the Chattanooga Police Department. Mr. Samples served as a Fingerprint Technician, then Captain, and finally, before retiring, achieving the rank of Major. "Eddie, along with some other very capable men, were on the forefront of establishing the forensics and fingerprinting divisions, as well as establishing training procedures still in use today", stated Retired Assistant Deputy Chief Norman. Major Samples was one of the last Majors in the CPD before the Department changed their ranking structures. In addition to being an accomplished and decorated law enforcement officer, "Eddie" was also an entrepreneurial business man, owning several Chattanooga Icons including Warehouse Billiards and The Lamp Post, as well as several other businesses. Mr. Samples was also active in the community as a member of the Masons and, subsequently a revered member of the Alhambra Shriners. Major Samples is preceded in death by his father William Samples; his mother Frankie Samples and his wife Dean Samples. Major Samples is survived by his daughter, Paige Samples Church; son-in-law Bradley D. Church; and grandchildren Madison, Tanner, Gracie and Ava; daughter Brandi Samples and grandchildren Tyler, Autumn and Braden. Mr. and Mrs. Church would also like to express their appreciation to Attorney Dee Hobbs and Ms. Paige Brown of Bell and Hobbs for their dedication and care displayed in their service as conservator for Major Samples, as well as the dedicated women with Hamilton County Clerk and Master. Services will be held at Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. with services immediately following. Interment will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Reverend Clip Sudderth will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital. Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423-622-3171.