Samela Jane Downing

Thursday, May 7, 2015
Samela Jane Downing

TRENTON, Neb. -- Samela "Sami" Jane Downing of Trenton passed away Thursday (May 7, 2015) at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Nebraska, surrounded by her family. She was 55 years old.

Samela was born in Stratton, Nebraska, on July 26, 1959, to James Calvin and Bertha Lucille (Anderson) Scott.

She graduated from Trenton High School. She later received her Associate's Degree in Hastings and her Nursing Home/Hospital Administration AIT in Curtis with certificate from Hastings.

Samela was united in marriage to Fred Downing in 1984. She was a busy mother of two sons, as well as working in the nursing home field working her way to administrator of Chappel Nursing Home in Chappel, Nebraska.

She enjoyed caring for people in the nursing home environment until her health prevented her from working.

She was a member of Trenton Church of God. She loved people and always was considerate of young and old alike. She spent her whole life helping others when she could. She volunteered countless hours at the thrift store in Humboldt, Nebraska. She loved bird watching, especially red cardinals and collecting ceramic birds.

Preceding her in death were her parents James and Bertha Scott; and her son's father, Fred Downing.

Samela is survived by her two sons, Shan Scott and Cole Downing, both of Trenton; sisters, Carla Sapp and Robin Cook, both of Trenton and Shelly and husband, Brice Lefler, of Humbolt, Nebraska; brothers, Bob Scott and wife, Sandy, Craig Scott and wife, Beth, and Tyler Jones, all of Trenton.

Memorials may be left in Samela's name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Trenton with Johnny Walker officiating. Inurnment will be in the Cornell Cemetery south of Trenton.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of Trenton is in charge of the arrangements. Friends may leave on-line condolences at: herrmannfh.com