Wylodene Samples

It is with great sadness that the family of Doris Wylodene (Thomas) (Bottom) Samples, of Rantoul, Illinois, announce that she went Home to the Lord on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the age of 92 at Accolade Healthcare, Paxton, IL.

Wylodene, “Willie”, as she was affectionately known by her friends and family, was born on October 15, 1930, on a farm near Ludlow, Illinois, to Louie H. and Ida O. (Meece) Thomas.  She attended rural grade school and was a 1948 graduate of Rantoul High School.

Wylodene married AJ Bottom July 14, 1950. He preceded her in death on January 15, 1967.

Wylodene had an unwavering faith in God, and her faith only grew stronger as she navigated life.  She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Rantoul.  She was a diehard Chicago Cubs and Bulls fan and loved watching Andre Dawson play! She really enjoyed playing bingo with friends and spending time with her grandchildren.  She was the rock that held her family together.

She is survived by her son Asa (Bonnie) Bottom of Rantoul, her daughter Jody (Dean) Swan of Paxton and a daughter-in-law Margaret Bottom Maxwell of Florida.  She is forever cherished and remembered by her eight grandchildren, Tracey, Michael, Amy, Jacob, Dennis, Jennifer, TJ and Ryan: thirteen great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Allan (Janet) Thomas, sister Lela (Ken) Vandermolen, many nieces and nephews and even more great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Danny Bottom, her parents, brother Earl Thomas, and sisters Gladys Niccum, Dorothy Griswold, Marlene Albers.

Services will be held at 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon (April 11, 2023) at the First Baptist Church of Rantoul.  Rev. Dan DeWitt will officiate.  Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, Rantoul.

Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:30 on Tuesday, also at the church.

Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church.