Rita was a Guiding Light whose Legacy Still Lives On in All of Us
The term “legacy” means many things to different people. To those who loved and were inspired by Rita Benford Sampson, a legacy is not just what you leave behind — but what you leave in people. Rita was a woman of ambition, determination, and hope. She lived every day to be a giver, whether it was at work, in her church or community, with her family and friends, or with total strangers.
That’s Rita Benford Sampson’s legacy … and it continues to live on in all of us.
“Rita was a faithful Christian, and her smile in particular, always stood out in our congregation.”
A Full Life…
Rita Michele Benford Sampson was born on January 20, 1966, to Clarence Benford, Jr., and Mary Louise Brooks Mason in Hobbs, New Mexico. From a very early age, it was evident that Rita was a strong, caring, and loving Christian woman who didn’t hesitate to open her heart to everyone. And that never changed as she got older. She attended Hobbs High School, where she was a star student and standout player on the volleyball court. She graduated in 1984 and went on to play volleyball at West Texas State University. She graduated college with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1988, and in that same year, met her future husband, Larry Alexander Sampson, while on a Greyhound Bus in Lubbock, Texas. The couple was married in 1994, and they shared three daughters and one son.
Though Rita spent 16 years as a volleyball coach at Amarillo College, the bulk of her work life was dedicated to children and crimi-nal justice through Randall County Juvenile Probation. She was a dedicated worker at Randall County for 25 years. She started as a Child Care Worker in 1993 and was quickly promoted to a Detention Officer the following year. She then transferred to the Probation Department in 1995 and was deputized by Judge Darrell Carey. Between 2008 until the time she retired from Randall County in 2017, Rita also held positions as a Juvenile Probation Officer II, III, and IV.
Rita was a wonderful wife, stepmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018, in Amarillo.
“Rita was one of a kind. Rita’s legacy in my opinion, was changing lives. She cared so deeply!”
Carrying on Rita's Legacy...
Shortly after Rita’s death, several family members and friends thought it was only appropriate to create a scholarship fund in Rita’s name to ensure her legacy continued to inspire and give back to those who need it most — the students and leaders of tomorrow.
And through the generous work of countless people, the Rita Benford Sampson Memorial Scholarship was born.
While she did not have children of her own, Rita embraced all kids and wanted to ensure they received the education they deserve. If you are a student and feel you are cut from the same cloth as Rita, please consider applying. If you are a community member and want to learn more about supporting this scholarship, please reach out to us!
“Rita was one of my beautiful cousins, who always had an encouraging word for me.”
