Joanna Ruth Samson

Joanna Ruth Moorhead Samson, loving mother, devoted sister, faithful friend and servant of the Lord was born on January 14, 1939 to parents Frank and Mildred (Ekstrom) Moorhead. She was the first-born child of six children. Joanna graduated from Lawrence Park High School with the memorable and “classy” class of 1956. Joanna later graduated from Edinboro University with a master’s degree in education. Joanna married Francis (Frank) Paul Samson on April 26, 1958. They relocated to Meadville, Pennsylvania in 1960 and later welcomed daughters Carrie and Kimberly. Joanna taught elementary school in Meadville, retiring in 2002. She was a voracious reader and always encouraged everyone’s love of learning. Joanna was a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was active in many Christian organizations in Meadville. Joanna took part in the Aglow ministries by serving on the board with her local chapter and enjoyed attending the national conferences. Joanna was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years Frank Samson. Joanna was also preceded in death by her mother and father Frank and Millie, her sister Kathleen (Roger) Moorhead Bigley and her brother Douglas (Susan) Moorhead. Joanna is survived by her daughters Carrie (David) Samson Short and Kimberly Samson, and her brothers James (Peggy) Moorhead, David (Nancy) Moorhead and Frank (June) Moorhead. Joanna is also survived by four grandchildren, Kyle (Lauren) Hoogewind, Leah (Ryan) Leslie, Paul Hoogewind and Jack Samson-Martin; two step grandchildren Lauren (Robert) Lambright and Ian Short; and two great grandchildren Pacha Lilianna Grace and Reed Francis. Joanna is also lovingly survived by numerous members of the Samson and the Moorhead families, as well as a great friend and help in her later years, Bill Burt. Family and friends are welcome to call on Sunday, October 3rd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville. The funeral will be on Monday, October 4th at 10:00 am at the funeral home with Pastor Christine Rogan, officiating. Burial will take place at Wintergreen Gorge, Erie. Contributions may be made in Joanna’s honor to the Aglow Ministries and/or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. A special thank you to all the private caregivers who cared for Joanna while she lived with Carrie. Additionally, a warm thank you to Tarsha, Yvonne and Sterlene; nurses in Joanna’s memory care unit who offered Joanna tender loving care as she transitioned to join her loved ones. Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Joanna's Book of Memories online at www.WarrenFH.com.