Sally Ann (Nee Cohen), Staker of Portsmouth, died Friday, August 2, 2024, at SOMC Hospice at the age of 90. She was born on April 10, 1934, in Portsmouth to Charles and Florence (Nee Keaton) Cohen.
Sally was an avid horse lover and spent her childhood riding her horse all over the Portsmouth hilltop. She also spent many hours at the Selby Farm admiring the great horses produced there. She shared her love of riding with her daughters, teaching them to ride and traveling all over the tri-state with them to horse shows.
Sally attended Portsmouth High School where she was a cheerleader and a member of the Class of 1952. She attended The Ohio State University for a few years before marrying the boy she had loved since she was eleven years old, James “Jim” Staker on June 27, 1954. They made a life together in their shared hometown for over 65 years, most of that time in the home they built together on Woodridge Way.
They have two daughters, Jamie (Brian) Noble of Wheelersburg and Jennifer (Terry) Johnson of McDermott. Her family was her joy, and she was so blessed to have three grandchildren whom she adored: Jordan (Jonathan) Page of Wheelersburg, James “Tye” Johnson, and Nick Johnson, both currently of Columbus, as well as two great-grandchildren, Sky Adkins, and Zayne Page. She will be greatly missed by them all.
In addition to her parents, Sally was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Otto, niece, Julie Waller, and her husband and constant life companion, Jim, in 2020. It was inconceivable to anyone who knew them that one could possibly exist without the other. Her heart was truly broken by his death and the past four years without him seemed like an eternity.
Avid Ohio State fans, Sally and Jim, were regulars at The Shoe. They also enjoyed golf and traveling together, especially to their beloved Sanibel Island, FL. Sally was a member of the First United Methodist Church for most of her adult life. She sang in the choir and had a wonderful soprano voice. When several local churches combined, she became a member of Cornerstone Methodist Church for many years as well.
Sally was a genuine soul with a constant smile and a wonderful sense of humor. She was loved by many. Our sadness is tempered by the knowledge that Sally is reunited in heaven with the husband she loved so very much and that they both rest in the loving arms of Jesus until we see them again.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of FC Daehler Mortuary and will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial gifts can be made to Cornerstone Methodist Church or SOMC Hospice House.
Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to leave a special memory of Sally or condolences for her family.