Doris May Baldwin Jones Starr Pottenger Doris passed away on January 2, 2024. She was born on April 3, 1932, in Emmett, Idaho, where she went to school and lived her early life. Doris married Burl Jones and they spent many happy years together. They were blessed with three children. Doris and Burl were later divorced.
Doris moved to Eagle, Idaho, and later married M. “Fritz” Starr. Doris later married Ira “Ben” Pottenger from Long Valley, Idaho. They were married for 25 years until Ben’s death in 2012. He was buried in Joseph Oregon. Doris had stepchildren and step great-grandchildren from her Starr and Pottenger marriages, as well as step nieces and step nephews. She enjoyed them all very much.
Doris worked for the State of Idaho, Department of Health and Welfare. She enjoyed oil painting, sewing, and gardening. Doris was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Jesus was an important part of her life.
Doris came from a large family of nine brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents Matthew William Baldwin and Ethel May Spear Baldwin, as well as siblings Anna Lee Drake, Matthew William Baldwin Jr, John Baldwin, Donald Baldwin, Bruce Baldwin, and Darrell Baldwin. She is survived by her sisters Marilyn Campbell of Auburn, Wash., and Anita Tuttle of Boise.
Doris is also survived by her immediate family: daughter Velva Jones, Eagle (and grandson Karl Reimer and his wife Marty, great-grandson Trevor Reimer, and great-granddaughter Brianna Reimer, all of Henderson, Nev.); and by son Randy Jones, Caldwell (and granddaughter Shannon Jares and her husband Bo, and great-granddaughters Zoey Jares and Fiona Jares, all of Boise); and by son Rick Jones, Eagle. Rick was his mom’s primary caregiver the last few years, seeing that she took her meds, got to doctor appointments, and all the daily things needed for good care. Doris wanted to remain at home and Rick saw to it that she did just that. Thanks also to Ancora Hospice for their in-home assistance the final couple of weeks.
Rick often played the guitar and sang for Doris. Sometimes he would play the harmonica or concertina and she would try to guess the songs, nearly always doing so. Some of the musician friends of Rick and Velva were often invited out to play music, and Doris’s hearty “Yay, rah!” at the end of each song will be greatly missed.
Doris was able to plan ahead and help write her own obituary. She has chosen to be cremated and will be interred at Dry Creek Cemetery. A memorial service may be held at a later date.