SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 647
In Memory
of
Jeanne Samuels
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 State of Texas, 88th
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.
Miles, Alvarado, Bettencourt
West, Whitmire
______________________________
Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 23, 2023, by a
rising vote.
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Secretary of the Senate