Dorothy Theresa Samuel's Obituary
Dorothy Theresa "Tee" Riddick Samuel, 76, of Melrose went home to be with the Lord and Savior on Wednesday morning, July 12, 2023.
Theresa was born on May 3, 1947 in Centerville, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Alice (Peck) Riddick. She graduated from Centerville High School with the Class of 1965. On May 14, 1994, Theresa was united in marriage to Cecil Ross Samuel.A member of Brushy Community Church, Theresa was a true child of God who joyfully shared with everyone she met of her relationship with the Lord. She never pushed her beliefs on anyone, but loved fiercely and selflessly without judgement, offering a listening ear and guidance to anyone in need.
Theresa was a member of the Highland Cemetery Association, the Rathbun Snow Riders of Centerville, and the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. She spent many years volunteering at the Mystic Center and Camp Appanoose. Much of Theresa's free time was spent creating beautiful quilts, scrapbooking, feeding the deer and other critters in Honey Creek and Rathbun Lake, reading her Bible, and talking about how much she loved God (and Zelda). Theresa took pride in her family, and would always make sure those around her were taken care of.
Left to cherish Theresa's memory are her son, Rick (Betsy) Robinson; her granddaughters, Jennifer Cassidy and Isabella Robinson; her sister, Pamela (Richard) Winegarden; a niece, Tammy Riddick; her nephews, Tom Riddick, Tim Riddick and Troy Riddick; her great grandchildren, Lily Cassidy and Daniel Cassidy; her sister-in-law, Barbara Riddick; her step-daughters, Toni (Lonnie) McCoy, Crystal Wheeler, and Dalene (Everett) Shaw; as well as her step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Ross Samuel; her parents, Thomas and Alice Riddick; her daughter, Jennifer Ann Robinson; her grandson, Carl Thomas Robinson; two brothers, Thomas E. Riddick and John Riddick; her sister, Patricia Riddick Clarke; her brother-in-law, James Clarke; and her nephew, MSgt Travis Riddick.
Tee was loved immensely by her family and friends and will be missed dearly. Per her wishes, cremation has been accorded. We will be coming together in a celebration of her life at Brushy Community Church at a later date. Burial will also take place at Highland Cemetery in Mystic at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in honor of Theresa may be made to either Highland Cemetery or Brushy Church, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN; Theresa Riddick Samuel Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
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