Samantha "Sammy" "Mima" Joel Gilbert

Samantha Joel “Sammy” “Mima” Gilbert, 25, of Washington, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 18, 2019. She was born on October 7, 1993, in Washington, a daughter of Joseph W. Gilbert, Sr., of Elm Grove and Debora Aileen Fletcher (Ronald Hampton) Gilbert, of Washington, and stepmother Michelle Gilbert, of Elizabeth. Samantha graduated with Honors, in 2012, from Wheeling Park High School.  Her plans were to pursue a nursing degree at Penn Commercial College this June. Her daughter, Emilia, whom she loved with all her heart, was her whole world. A beautiful soul, who could light up a room, and could also be described as a ball of fire, loved to do for others, and would help out anyone. She was an animal lover, who loved her two fur-babies, Rudy, the dog, and Oliver, the cat. Sammy loved Harry Potter, was a big Zelda fan, enjoyed reading, writing and music, and was a member of the Pulaski Club. Surviving are her daughter, Emilia Joel Howard, who is four-years old; six siblings, C. Joy (Brandon Benner) Wise, of Washington, Christina (Dom) Ream, of Florida, Joseph Wayne (Thelia) Gilbert, II, of Washington, Amber Hampton, of Oklahoma, William Gilbert, of Elm Grove, WV, and Samantha Hampton, of Texas; her paternal grandparents, Sally Sorsby, of West Liberty, WV and Donald Gilbert, of Beach Bottom, WV; her maternal grandparents, Jerome (Norma) Fletcher, of Washington; her great grandmother, Emma Katherine Gilbert, of Martins Ferry, who is 102-years young; four uncles, Adrian (Jodi) Fletcher, Donnie Gilbert, David (Paula) Gilbert, and Bobby (Liz) Sorsby; two aunts, Jerry Fletcher (J.D.) Sumney and Claresa Sorsby; and seven cousins, David (Heather) Gilbert, Ashley Gilbert, Andy Sorsby, Austin Sorsby, Preston (Sydney) Fletcher, Camden Fletcher, and Robbie Ferri. Deceased are a sister, Tiffany Lea Wise; paternal grandfather, Robert Sorsby; paternal grandmother, Patricia Gilbert; maternal grandmother, Joyce Keenan Fletcher; and two uncles, Rusty and Billy Sorsby. Friends will be received on Friday, March 22, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, PA, where additional visitation will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the time of services. Burial will follow in the Washington Cemetery.