DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Samuela Whitaker Friedman

Samuela Whitaker Friedman (Sammie), a resident of DeLand, went to be with the Lord on July 12, 2014 at Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/ Flagler in Orange City. An extraordinary, accomplished musician, she will be remembered with love and affection by her family, friends, as well as her numerous piano students and choir members whom she patiently taught.

Growing up in Bunnell, FL, she started directing the First Baptist Church choir before she was out of college. If anyone needed a pianist or organist, her name was the first one mentioned. She gave much of her musical life to Stetson Baptist Church as organist, director of hand bells and choirs even while she fought cancer in her own life.

After a terrible accident which paralyzed her waist down, she worked at the Stetson Baptist School as librarian and continued her musical talent for teaching at the First Methodist Church in Pierson, FL. She was victorious through adversity.

Sammie had a strong faith in God that carried her through life allowing her to look at others with a smile, an interesting conversation, and a sense of humor. Louis, her high school sweetheart and husband, died early in their son's lives due to cancer.

She would look at her sons, Jay and Paul, and see so much of Louis and his humor in them. They were the most important people in her life. Her last years were spent working with Majors Medical Equipment in DeLand. Those coming into the shop could not complain as they met her smiling face and cheerful conversation although she was in a wheel chair for 19 years.

Those who knew her well can say "She fought the good fight, she finished the race, and she remained faithful to her Lord and Savior." Paraphrase of 2 Timothy 4:7. Sammie's two sons, Jay and Paul, DeLand, FL and cousins, nieces and nephews in Flagler County, like all of us who knew her, will miss Sammie Friedman.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 15th from 6-8pm at Allen-Summerhill Funeral Home in DeLand.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 16th at 1pm at Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand with Dr. Thomas Pinner officiating. Interment will follow at Espanola Cemetery in Bunnell.