88R31644 BPG-D
By: Miles, et al. S.R. No. 647
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Jeanne Beulah Franklin Samuels, longtime editor of the
Jewish Herald Voice, on May 12, 2023, at the age of 99; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Louis and Edith Franklin, the former
Jeanne Franklin was born in Casper, Wyoming, on December 26, 1923;
her family moved to Wichita Falls and then settled in Houston, where
she grew up with three siblings, Jack, Bob, and Gay; after
graduating from Lamar High School, she attended The University of
Texas for a year until her beloved mother fell ill; she met her
future husband, Joe Samuels, while waiting at a bus stop, and they
wed on August 4, 1943; as a cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he was
supposed to be single, so she followed him secretly to every duty
station until he shipped out to the European Theater; during World
War II, she was employed by the Houston Area Rent Control Office of
the Office of Price Administration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Samuels were blessed with a son, Marc,
and two daughters, Maurene and Vicki; while raising their children,
they owned a record and electronics store and an insurance agency;
they found their calling on April 1, 1973, when they purchased the
Jewish Herald-Voice, then a 65-year-old publication; dedicated to
serving the region's Jewish community, they spent long hours
reporting on events, opining on issues, and demonstrating support
for the State of Israel; in order to cover the concerns of their
readers, they added pages even when it was not helpful to the bottom
line; when they wrote about their international travel, their
accounts often moved readers to donate to Jewish causes in Israel
and around the world; their contributions were recognized by
numerous local and national organizations, both secular and
faith-based; following the death of Mr. Samuels in 2011,
Mrs. Samuels continued to serve as editor and publisher until she
was 98; and
WHEREAS, The Samuels home was always open to family and
friends who needed a place to stay; the couple loved having slumber
parties for their grandchildren, Matt, Benjamin, Caroline, Wendy,
Daniel, Kimberly, Amy "Adina," Michael, David, Sam, and Rebekah;
Mrs. Samuels got them ready for bed by reading from A Child's Garden
of Verses and other favorites; she baked beautiful birthday cakes,
tended a large vegetable garden, and adored the family's boxers and
other pets; kind and compassionate, she began delivering Meals on
Wheels at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Although Jeanne Samuels is deeply missed, her
devotion to her family, her faith, and her community will remain a
source of tremendous inspiration to all who were privileged to know
her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature
hereby pay tribute to the life of Jeanne Beulah Franklin Samuels and
extend sincere sympathy to all who mourn her passing; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Jeanne Beulah Franklin Samuels.