Jeri graced this world with her presence at Tulare County General Hospital in Tulare, California on November 7th, 1966. Her parents were Gerald Withnell & Betty Lovatao and she was raised in both Tulare, California and Kansas City, Kansas. Jeri has been dedicated since her youth to helping others find healing and lifting them from the darkest abyss and raising them to the golden light.
Jeri had 4 half siblings and 4 step siblings. She had 3 older brothers Billy, Leonard & Rodney and 1 younger brother Billy. Later in life she had 2 older step siblings Ray & Lisa and 2 younger step siblings Regina & Vincent. Jeri braved her way through college as an adult and single handedly managed the role of mother and father. In 1998, she earned her Associates Degree in Business Management.
On November 1, 2011 Jeri exchanged wedding vows with the love of her life Brian Beckett at Red Rock/Calico Basin in Las Vegas, Nevada.
She blazed a path for helping others reach their full potential and extracted the best out of those who sought her wisdom. She had the privilege of seeing many people she loves grow as they forged a better life whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her. She was a giving and caring individual who showed a deep love for others.
Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Jeri was always ready with rock-solid advice and guidance to offer anyone who needed it. For those who really knew Jeri, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Jeri enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly boost those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for sensing when a friend needed help. During college, she became friends with Brenda Wolfe and the Wolfe family. As an adult, she became close with Bea Aikens & Michelle Peryola.
All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Jeri was able to bond with her children. Jeri was a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Jeri was blessed with 4 children in total-- 2 biological and 2 adopted: Crystal Taylor, Rebecca Carnes, Chrissy Weems and Brianne Tonti. They were also blessed with 8 Grandchildren, Nathan and Madison Lim, Alex and Aaron Taylor, Neko and Joshua Tonti, and Marissa and James Weems.
Though she could be a private person at times, Jeri was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Jeri carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life.
As an imaginative and inventive person, Jeri was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Jeri was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Her favorite pursuits were hiking, art, music, going to church, and practicing Reiki and Meditation. She also enjoyed traveling and one of her favorite vacations was a cruise she took with her husband to Mexico. Jeri was actively involved in Gamblers Anonymous and Unity Church of Las Vegas where she led various talks on battling addiction, fear, and depression.
Jeri passed away on November 1, 2019 at Summerlin Hospital. She was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 6 days later. She was very present and aware until her last breath. Services are being held at Palm Northwest Mortuary on November 9, 2019 at 6:30pm.
