Joel Craig Samples

Joel Craig Samples, age 58, of Buford, Georgia, went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, October 16, 2017 after a long battle with ALS. A funeral service will be held Friday, October 20, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Pastor Fred Sharrett and Rev. Michael Berg will officiate. Interment will follow at Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens. The Family will receive friends Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 4-9 PM and on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 4-9 PM at the funeral home. The Family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Craig’s memory to the Gwinnett Fire Department Benevolence Fund at 408 Hurricane Shoals Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or Life Today at https://my.lifetoday.org/give. Craig was preceded in death by his father, Jaril Samples and mother, Marie Allen. He is survived by his wife, Judy Samples, Buford; dad, Doug Allen, Sr., Cleveland, GA; brothers, Van Samples and wife Dana, Buford, Doug Allen, Jr. and wife Jeannie, Dacula, GA, Dean Allen and wife Heather, Cumming, GA; sisters in-law, April Smith and husband Kent, Mt. Airy, GA, Robin Nichols and husband Steve, Buford, Dawn Dooly and husband John, Buford; nieces and nephews, Hope Honea and husband Kyle, Caleb Samples, Skylar Allen, Abby Allen, Trystan Allen, David Nichols and wife Cary, Stella Smith, Mark Nichols and wife Lindsey, Phillip Nichols and wife Megan, Ruth Hein and husband Wilson, Samuel Smith, Rebecca Cribbs and husband Clay, Thomas Nichols and wife Amber; great nieces and nephews, Knox Honea, Willa Marie Honea, Dexter Nichols, Avery Nichols, Max Nichols, Henry Hein, Whitley Nichols. Craig was born in Buford, Georgia and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a graduate of North Gwinnett High School, Class of 1976. Craig was a Veteran of the US Army, formerly worked at Atlanta Gas Light and was a Fire Fighter with the Gwinnett County Fire Department. He served as a missionary with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and was a member of Gateway Church, Suwanee, GA. Craig’s faith and strength were an inspiration to many and he will be greatly missed by family and friends. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Craig at hamiltonmillchapel.com