Quantah’ Rose Eleazer Samuels was born in Patchogue, New York, on May 1, 1936 to Paul Cuffee Eleazer and Rose Madelyn Smith Eleazer, who preceded her in death. Rose came from a large and loving family consisting of 6 sisters and 5 brothers.
Rose grew up in Sayville, NY and attended Sayville High School, and later furthered her education at St. Rose College in Massachusetts. In the early 1970’s Rose was The Director of Green Belt Recreation Center and Central Islip Recreation Center. Additionally, Rose was the director of NASA’s Moffit Field Child Care Center, in Mountain View, CA. As a career driven woman, Rose worked with children and the elderly, as well as serving as a consultant to The American Cancer Society and BOCES. Quantah Rose was the President and founder of the Native American organization, NAWAH – Native American Wisdom and Healing. Quantah Rose was an activist with a passion for public awareness relating to cancer and her Native American heritage. She was also an active member of the Lions Club, worked closely with the Southampton Historical Society, and served as a board member with Native American Special Emphasis, at the Veterans Administration, in East Northport, NY.
Rose united in marriage with Harry L. Samuels on February 14, 1954; five children were born to this union. Rose was a devoted mother and beloved grandmother and to her, family held a position of the utmost importance. A kind, generous, loving, humorous and beautiful woman she was the corner stone of her immediate family and counsel to her extended family as well.
Rose was preceded in death by her son John Richard and her husband Harry Samuels. She leaves to cherish her memory her four children, Ronald Glenn Samuels of Stone Mountain GA, Roslyn Gayle Samuels Sledge of Lithonia, GA, Darlyne Rose Samuels Muhammad of Bay Shore, NY, and Sharilyn Katherine Samuels Daugherty of Stone Mountain, GA, ten Grandchildren she affectionately nicknamed “The Ten Little Indians” Lydell, Dominic, Kristen, Vincent, Marlaina Rose, Tina Rose, Lauren, Justin, Courtney, and Breana, thirteen Great-Grandchildren Tarell, Tallia Rose (who was raised by Rose), Kimani, Asrya-Quantah, Isaiah, Yashua, Jaelyn, Jalen, Brandon, Steven, Susan Rose, Caleb, Kia-lynne Rose, two sisters Viola Gavin of Central Islip, NY and Charlotte Pierce of Centereach, NY, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.