Dorothy Beverly Samuel

Dorothy “Dottie” Samuel, aged 95, a New Orleans native and longtime resident of Gulfport, died March 1, 2015 in Gulfport Mississippi after a brief illness. She was the daughter of Benny Samuel and Julia Levy, born December 29, 1919 in New Orleans Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bernard F Samuel, and her sister Carolyn Samuel Samuels. She is survived by her nephew, Barry N. Samuel, Jr. (Marlene) and niece, Jackie Samuels Gibson (Barry), as well as numerous grand nephews, nieces and much loved friend Ola Law. After attending Louisiana State University she began a long and successful career at B. Samuel Company in New Orleans. There, she further developed her famous negotiating skills until her retirement. In 1959 she built a house in Gulfport on Beach Drive where the landscaping was her pride and joy. Until Katrina, she spent many happy years there with her childhood friend, Elise Harris and her several miniature poodles. Often as not, she could be found mounted on her yard tractor, tending to the grounds. She had a wide circle of friends on the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans and was constantly “on the go”. Her knowledge of the strong points and weaknesses of all the major Coast restaurants was encyclopedic and she was constantly entertaining at one or the other, never allowing any of the usual infirmities of age to interfere with her very active social life which included a long time membership in the Gulfport Yacht Club. An unforgettable character, with legions of beneficiaries of her purposeful generosity, she will be missed by many and all. There will be a visitation at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport from 10:00 AM to Noon, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 followed by a graveside service at Hebrew Rest Cemetery on Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gulf Coast Rescue Mission, 2750 Mission Lane, Biloxi MS 39531, St. James Catholic School, 603 West Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507, or to the charity of your choice. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com