Darlene (Dee, Mom, Grandma) Dawson Samford, 72, went to be with Our Lord and Savior on November 9, 2024.

Dee was born to Jenny and Dusty Dawson on September 17, 1952 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Although she lived all over, she especially loved the beach, where she met her best friend of 50+ years Rhonda Lou. While working in civil engineering, Dee met Thomas Samford in the same North Carolina city where Tom's parents T.P. and Corinne Samford met 41 years earlier. Dee and Tom were soon married in Avondale Estates on September 17, 1983, and later made their home in Marietta with their 3 children.

Dee lived by her mom's and her babci's examples on how to be joyful and selfless and show the love of Jesus. She was deeply devoted to her family (including everyone she "adopted") by showering them with gifts and goodies for every holiday (even ones she made up!), teaching and encouraging them to be creative and crafty, and coming to the rescue no matter what. Dee loved to make everyone feel special, taking them on adventures (theme parks, bowling, pinball arcades, bargain shopping sprees, casinos, and Elvis's Graceland!) and taking plenty of pictures of course, making sure there was always food around the corner, singing and dancing to Oldies in the car (or out!), spreading fun and laughter to everyone around her, and doing anything and everything she could just to bring a smile to someone's face, especially a child. She truly enjoyed sharing her passions for fashion, design, painting, gardening, Ancient Egypt, and most importantly, taking care of others.

She is survived by her loving husband Thomas Samford; adoring daughters Jennifer (Zac) Lopett, Jessica Samford (David Prasse), and Kristin Neyerlin; precious grandchildren Gabriel and Elvira; sisters Charli Peterson Abbott, Pam (Dwight) Dover, Betsy (Mike) Massey, and Rhonda (David) Jones; brother Tony (Colleen) Dawson; siblings-in-law Bill Samford, Gail Samford, and Mary Anne Samford; "adopted" children Amanda, Angel, Benita, Justin, Jesse, Brittany, Natalie, Brenton, Meredith, and Debbie (to name a few!); well over a baker's dozen nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her granddog Leeloo. She was preceded in death by her forever beloved son Nick Samford and brothers-in-law Bill Peterson, John Samford, and Buzz Samford. She was also preceded in death by "adopted" daughter Staci Samford and a plethora of spoiled doggies and kitties.

Services will be held at Marietta Funeral Home and Crematory, 915 Piedmont Rd. Marietta, GA 30066, on November 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM(visitation 1:00 - 3:00 PM). Please honor Dee by wearing something purple if you can. A Celebration of Life Luau will be announced at a future date.