Kathryn Samuels

Kathryn Russ Samuels of Inlet Beach Florida, passed away on March 3, 2025 after a life well lived. She was born on August 27, 1942, to Berness and Enid Tiller Russ of Vernon Florida. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, Elton Russ.
After graduating from Vernon High School and Chipola Junior College, she joined the Peace Corps in 1962 and served for two years in the Philippines. There she met her 'best friend and soul mate" Bennett Samuels. They married in 1964.They both attained master's Degrees--Kathy as a Reading Specialist and Ben as a Social Worker.
They are both Civil Service retirees, with a combined 40 years of service. They worked overseas for 22 years in the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Italy, and worked with Eskimo teenagers in Alaska. They also worked and lived in Ben's hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. They retired from Government Service in 1993, and moved to Inlet Beach, Florida. Kathryn had a great interest working with people with mental illness and their families. She founded and was President of the STARR Center and also President of the local chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness for many years. She is survived by her husband Bennett Samuels and Daughter Melissa Samuels Wallace and son-in-law Steve Wallace. Melissa strives to continue in her mother's footstep as a loving wife, teacher, friend and gourmet cook.
A memorial service will be held at Unity Spiritual Center, 309 W. 5th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to No Kid Hungry at www.nokidhungry.org
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