Sarah (Jerri) Samuels

Sarah Geraldine "Jerri" Samuels passed away with family by her side Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston. She was 85 years old.

Jerri was born Sept. 7, 1930, in Troy, to Ben and Frances Byers. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1948.

Jerri met her best friend and the love of her life in 1975, Paul "Sutt" Samuels. They were later married and eventually settled in Sweetwater.

Growing up, Jerri learned to play the piano. She loved to play in jam sessions with her dad, mom and other family members. Later, she used her talent to play piano bar in local establishments. Jerri's love of music continued throughout her life. She and Paul loved to dance and you could often find them dancing wherever there was music, with or without a dance floor. Their love of music took them to many concerts over the years.

Jerri and Paul also loved the out-of-doors, spending time fishing, huckleberrying and swimming at the many local river beaches. Later in life, they enjoyed making trips to Nevada, and we were always amazed at how "lucky" Jerri was!

When home, Jerri loved planting and tending to her flowers and feeding her hummingbirds. She was a great cook and loved crocheting when her hands permitted.

Throughout her life, Jerri worked as a bookkeeper and bartender/waitress. She loved people, which made the latter her favorite type of work.

Jerri is survived by her daughter, Shelli (Bill) Giles of Visalia, Calif.; her son, Tom (Judy) Hobson of Lewiston; two stepsons, Steve (Lisa) Samuels and Loren (Deanne) Samuels, both of Lewiston; three sisters, Linda Lukenbill of Clarkston, Julie (Roger) York of Lewiston and Janice Daum of Buhl, Idaho; 14 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, all of which she always told that they were her very favorite!

Jerri was preceded in death by her husband, Paul "Sutt" Samuels; twin infant sons; her daughter, Pamela Haislip; and her brother, Barney Byers.

A service to celebrate Jerri's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Masonic Lodge, 1122 18th St., Lewiston. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Kamiah.