IN LOVING MEMORY OF JERILYNN FAILOR/STEVENSON

Jeri L. Failor/Stevenson went to be with the Lord January 7, 2023. Jeri Lynn was born October 3, 1945 to Clary H. Latham and Orma J. Latham. She was an only child who was adored by her parents and who loved being part of her great big extended family filled with cousins and aunts and uncles; a family that was filled with singing and music and laughter.

Jeri started dancing when she was very young and spent much of her young life practicing and performing. She grew up in Bellingham and graduated from Bellingham High School. After graduation she became a flight attendant during the “golden age” of commercial flight when the stewardesses were glamorous, the meals were gourmet and the flight attendants had time to visit with their passengers. During her time as a flight attendant, Jeri married Lewis Calvin (Skip) Failor III and they moved to California where he taught school and she continued to fly. In 1973, their son Jason Clary Failor was born and brought a whole new joy into their lives.

Jeri had different occupations through the years, but being a stay-at-home mom with her son was by far her favorite. She was an aspiring entrepreneur and started two fun businesses during her time at home; she worked Jerinda & Co. with a friend making ceramic wet tea bag holders and then Lolly Lickers where she made hand-painted chocolate suckers and sold them throughout Whatcom County. When Jason was in middle school, the family of three traveled the country in their 35’ long motorhome selling Jody Bergsma prints at shows around the United States. When they settled back home at the family farm on the Smith Road, Jeri helped her mother, Orma, run the Briar Patch gift store in downtown Bellingham.

After Jason was grown, Jeri embraced her love of Jesus and pursued Christian counseling training at Elijah House Ministries in Idaho. She was a licensed counselor, teacher and speaker. She loved helping people through difficult times and encouraging them to look to Jesus when everything else seemed to be broken and hurting in their lives. She owned Stillwaters Cottage Ministry, taught classes around the U.S., Hawaii and even traveled to South Africa to train new counselors.

After retiring from her ministry work, Jeri returned to Washington and lived quietly in her sweet cottage in Lynden with her beloved dog, Toby. There she was able to enjoy back porch gardening, her friends and her extended family.

Jeri is survived by her son, Jason Failor/Valler and his wife Tiana; her grandchildren Malakhi (Rebecca), Akaiah, Elijah, Isaiah and Faith; and her two great-grandchildren Cyrus and Amelia.

A memorial honoring her life will be held at Cornwall Church with her friends and family.

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