Sarah Avanelle Newman

Sarah Avanelle Newman was born in Kylesford, Tennessee, the third of four daughters born to John and Susie (Goins) Rogers. When Avanelle was 7-years-old, her family moved to Weiser, Idaho, where she grew up. She attended Weiser schools and graduated from Wesier High School in 1942. She attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, for two years.
In 1946, Avanelle married Veldis Newman in Weiser. Veldis was a mason by trade, and in 1948, the moved to Dayton, Washington. They owned and operated Hide-A-Way Motel until 1954. Their three boys, Michael, Richard and Jeremy, were born while living in Dayton. In 1954, the family moved to Spokane Valley, Washington, where Vel did missionary work. In 1957, they moved to McMinnville where Vel built several A & W Root Bee stands in the area, and operated the one in McMinnville until 1964. They sold that and moved to a farm in Yamhill for a couple of years, and then to Forest Grove, where the boys graduated from Forest Grove High School. Vel owned and operated Thatcher Junction, a service station and a store. While in Forest Grove, Avanelle worked as a medical insurance secretary at Forest Hills Medical Center. In 1973, when their boys were out of school and on their own, Vel and Avanelle moved back to Weiser, Idaho, to help their parents. While there, Avanelle worked as a legal secretary for Burton & Kroll Law Firm. After retirement, Avanelle worked as a secretary for the Weiser Church of the Nazarene and volunteered at the senior center. Veldis passed in 2002. They has been married for 56 years.
In 2004, Avanelle moved to Albany to be near her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Grace Point, Church of the Nazarene in Albany, and loved her Lord and the church, and served them faithfully. She was a loving mother, loved her family and extended family, and had many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and brothers-in-law, Hellen and Allen Wilson, Dorothy and Ross Poulson, and Mary and Gale Farley; husband Vel; and nephew Jim Wilson, who passed away in 2010.
Survivors include her three children, Michael and wife Susan of Tangent, Richard and wife Susan of Garibaldi, and Jeremy of Marysville, Washington; grandchildren Dustin, Sarah, Jeremy, Jacob and Kellie; and great-granddaughter Donna Grace Marker. She also is survived by extended family of nephews and nieces, Jack and Peggy Kesgard, Janice Wilson, Barbara and Jay Heist, Kay Walus, Robyn and Ray Vance, Roger and Jill Mason, Ed and Paula Dykes, and Mark and Pam Mason.
A memorial service will be announced at a later time. Interment will be at the Mann Creek Family Cemetery in Weiser, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial be made to the build fund of Grace Point, Church of the Nazarene in Albany.
AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements.