Mildred Alves-Sampson

MILDRED ELDORA SERUBY ALVES-SAMPSON, daughter of the late Earl and Isabel
Seruby, was born on April 21, 1943 in the Bronx, New York. In her youth she played
volleyball, piano, violin and was a member of the debate team. She graduated from
Bishop Conaty high school then attended Mount St. Mary’s, married, had three children
and opened “The Zebra Gift Shop”, a gift shop in Patterson, New Jersey all before the
age of 30.

Mildred had a love of education and pursued a degree from California State University
at Los Angeles in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing while
raising three children and would later pursue an advanced degree in Accounting from
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While at VCU, she led the effort in
establishing the first chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants on
campus and would later enter a contest to name the organization’s newsletter. Her entry
won with the submission of, “Chapter To Chapter” and was awarded a trip to their
national convention.

Her analytical mind led her to enjoy calculating numbers, watching mysteries, playing
Sudoku, eating good food and traveling. Laughter and family (especially researching her
family history) was a huge part of her personal life. She loved her family, especially her
grandchildren. And if you mentioned that you were looking for a job she would jump on
the computer and send you job listings that fit your skill set, which she continued to do
even in her 80’s. In her professional life, she held many positions; a Buyer at Sears,
Purchaser for the City of Richmond, and Student Accounts Specialist at the University
of Richmond, from where she eventually retired. But there was nothing more important
than family to her.

She is preceded in death by John S. Alves (ex-husband), and Marvin A. Sampson, Sr.
(husband), and Marcia Sorey (sister). Left to cherish her precious memories are her
daughters, Susan Alves, Henrico, VA; Sheila Alves, Midlothian, VA; Sydney Alves-
Smith and her husband Stacy Smith and her beloved grandchildren Cameron and
Camille Smith; Sakeb Nazim, Calgary Canada (honorary son), her sisters
Earlene Seruby, Rio Vista, CA; Cheryl (Maxine) Seruby, Rio Vista, CA; and brother Earl
Seruby and his wife Roberta; Modesto, CA and her nephew, nieces and numerous
cousins throughout the country and abroad.

Services Will Be Private.