Margo D Kaufman
Obituary

Margo Deloras Kaufman, a trailblazer, world traveler, and beloved sister, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born in Gilroy, California, on June 14, 1937, Margo was the cherished daughter of Ethrage and Gladys Neely. Raised in San Diego and Vallejo, she was a young woman with a vision for her future and a deep desire for independence. Immediately following high school, she set out on an adventure that took her first to San Francisco and eventually to West Los Angeles, where she found the perfect climate and "vibe" to call home.

Margo began her professional life as an elevator operator at Bullock’s Downtown Los Angeles before transitioning to a PBX Operator position with Los Angeles County. It was there that she saw an opportunity for women to join the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Margo was a pioneer. She was one of only four African American women selected to train at the Sheriff’s Academy during her recruitment. Through her determination and strength, she graduated and began her career as a Deputy Sheriff for Los Angeles County in 1965. For 27 years, until her retirement in 1992, she served in many capacities, including Transportation, the County Court system and Sybil Brand Women’s Correctional Facility. Her career was a wellspring of colorful and often humorous stories that she loved to share. She cherished the lifelong friendships she found in the department and that remained in her life until the very end.

Her retirement opened the door for a new chapter of adventure. Margo was an avid traveler who loved discovering new countries, cultures, delicious food and shopping along with her very dear traveling friends. While her "ports o' call" are too many to list, she frequently spoke of Italy and New York City as being among her favorites.

When she wasn't traveling, Margo found immense joy and community in her church, The Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles.  She enjoyed lifting her voice in praise along with her cherished Agape International Choir. She also enjoyed being an usher and greeting all those that came her way. The spiritual bond she shared with her church family was a source of great love and joy, including providing her comfort in her final days, with visits and prayers.

Margo’s greatest joy was the life she shared with her brother, Rodney, whom she affectionately introduced to the world as simply “My Brother!” They were two peas in a pod right from the start and their mutual love for one another was a godsend for each of them. The best years for both were those spent together creating forever memories.

Margo is surrounded in love by so many family and friends across the United States. She is abundantly blessed to have dear friends and neighbors that she loved as family and who kept her under their wings in recent tender times.

Those left to cherish Margo’s memory are her beloved brother, Rodney Potter and his wife Sue along with his children Marcia Garcia, Samantha Potter, Harrison Potter and Quinton Potter; her step-sister, Shirley Rowe and her children, Robyn Arreola and Wendy Easter; her step-sister Barbara Gross and her children Yasmyne Brewer and Anne Auynkoya; her nieces and nephews of the Dabney Family: Michael Dabney, Dr Paul Dabney, Roanna LaCour, Kathleen Joiner, Christopher Dabney, and Steven Dabney.

She is preceded in death by her parents Ethrage and Gladys Neely, step-brother James Boatman; her step-sister Gloria Dabney and her husband MSgt. USAF (Ret.) Clarence Dabney, their daughter, Margaret Dabney and son, LCDR USN (Ret.) Philip Dabney; and her step-sister Darinka Beasley.

Margo will be forever missed, deeply loved, and always remembered for her generous heart, adventurous spirit, and love for life.

Margo’s ashes will be interred next to her cherished father, Ethrage Neely at the Inglewood Park Cemetery,  Inglewood, Ca. Her Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.