Mattie Jeanne Sampson passed away in her sleep in her home on November 9, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 34.
Mattie was born on February 5, 1987 to her loving mother, Sandra Sampson. Mattie grew up attending Saydel Consolidated Schools, participating in many school athletic programs and extracurricular activities. She grew up attending Capitol City Baptist Church and volunteered in several children’s church programs, teaching Sunday school and Awanas. Over the years, she attended several schools to pursue her passion to become an elementary school teacher. She graduated with a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University.
She spent the last three years teaching preschool at St. Paul Lutheran and absolutely loved the children she taught. They were truly a joy to her. She could always be found putting together lesson plans, organizing crafts and decorating her classroom. She worked part-time at Vera Bradley in Altoona, Iowa. Mattie loved people.
Over the years, she was a nanny to several families and became an honorary family member to these families. These kids would lovingly refer to her as their “Miss Mattie”. She always had a treat, a fun song for a dance party, and a lap for snuggles.
Mattie is survived by her “second mom” Teresa Buhr; uncles Stephen (Patricia) Sampson, Richard (Pam) Sampson, Gerald ((Ann) Sampson aunt Karole Dyer, Pam (Jim) Rumelhart, Michelle (Charles) Davis, Haydn (Lynette) Buhr and many cousins, special friends, and all of the “littles” she invested with her time and love.
She was preceded in death by her loving mother and best friend, Sandra Sampson; maternal grandparents (Gerald and Wilma); and cousins (Scott and Jeremy) Melinda Holbrook.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at First Family Church 317 S E Magazine Road, Ankeny, Iowa, 50021, at 10:30 am with a lunch to follow.
