Barbara Samuels

Obituary On, January 18, 1953, in Dallas Texas, a baby girl was born to parents, Willie Samuels and Betty LaVerne Samuels-Logan, that they named, Barbara Elaine Samuels. Barbara departed this life on January 21, 2018. She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Richardson-Logan, her father, Willie Samuel, grandmother, Lorene (Love) Washington, aunt, Margarita Washington, and brother, Jewell (Red) Martin. Barbara spent her early childhood years in Dallas until moving to Kansas City with her mom and brother, Marvin to join her grandmother, Lorene (Love) permanently. Upon graduating from Southeast High School, she would diligently work her way through several major companies including HNTB Corporation, the Negro League Baseball Museum and finally landing at Kansas City Power and Light Company for the last twelve years. Barbara was known for her quick wit and unrelenting love for everyone, no matter their position in life. She always had an extra hand, an extra ear, and she never ran out of smiles or kind words. Her love of writing crossed boundaries. Barbara would give inspirational words anywhere she could find; whether it be on Facebook, her aunt’s (Margarita Washington) newspaper, The Omaha Star or in her church. Her natural never-ending gift of joy and happiness given to her friends and family was never short on supply. Barbara was a lifelong dedicated member of Bethel AME Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a faithful Doorkeeper, a member of the Usher Board #1, and she dearly loved working with the Ushers of Inspiration and all the young people at Bethel AME. To know Bethel AME is to know Barbara. She loved her church, her Pastors, and all her fellow saints. Barbara lived her life to the fullest with her life partner, Cyrus Strother, whom she met in 1990, and they had been happily together for over twenty-five years. Barbara Samuels leaves to celebrate her homegoing, her sons, Elton Ladd (Tracee) and Edmonds Samuels both of Kansas City, Missouri; four brothers: Marvin Evans (Beatrice) of Kansas City, Missouri, Reginald Martin (Emelda) of Dallas, Texas, Melvin Martin of Houston, Texas, and John (JD) Martin (Melissa) of Hampton, Virginia; seven grandchildren: Jordan Blake, Marcus Blake, Savannah Samuels, Jasmine Samuels, Aiden Turpin, De’ja Ladd, and Mya Ladd; one great-grandchild, Aiden; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral Service for Barbara Samuels will be held Saturday, January 27, 11:00 a.m. at Bethel AME Church, 2329 Flora Ave. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Interment, Twelve Gates Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Samuels, please visit our floral store. Read More

Barbara Samuels

January 18, 1953 - January 21, 2018