Obituaries

For some reason, the Wood family came to my mind today, and I discovered Lois Anne's tribute here. My parents, George and Pamela Henry, were next door neighbors of the Wood family on Ashland Ave. in Norfolk until I was almost 4. I think Mrs. Wood with her older children was a good neighbor to my mother with 3 of us under 3 by the time we moved, not to mention a husband who was either at sea with the Navy or spending many hours in his residency at DePaul Hospital. Lois Anne babysat me and my brothers. The "Wood boys" were front-yard playmates. I remember a bicycle balanced upside down with handlebars and seat as the base and the pedals spun by hand--our imaginary ice cream machine. That would have been the bike and creation of Sidney or Ronald. I have 2 memories at home there of lying in bed with my babysitter (Lois Anne?) readying me for sleep. One was when there were frightening booms outside, and she reassured me it was just fireworks. Another time she popped her chewing gum so naturally that it became one of my goals to achieve that satisfaction. (Later in life, I had to give up gum because I was so annoying.) Then we moved to Georgia and left the Woods behind. As I read about her here, I wish I could have known her longer. I think I would have enjoyed and been blessed by her friendship. Remembering Lois Anne and her family is a reminder to me that God shapes our lives through people who are important to us for what seems just a short time, but only he knows the impact. Noel Henry Piper, Minneapolis, MN, psa131@gmail.com

Posted by Noel Henry Piper on April 14, 2025

Lois was a beautiful person inside and out. She was a scholar, a musician, a teacher at heart (no matter the subject), and organizer, and would offer her home for meetings, etc. when she felt the need arise. She was a great friend and would always tell you the truth. You knew that she was a Christian by her actions. When she first came to Appomattox, she had just built a dulcimer, herself, at a Scholar's retreat. She was ready to learn to play it and she found out from other people that I could play one. She immmediately got in touch with one or two others who played and urged us to commit to an evening a week playing together. That was the first Dulcimer Trio. Lois always gave me credit for starting it but it was actually all Lois. Later she decided that she wanted to play bass dulcimer and wanted my help finding one. I found one on Ebay and we had the best time buying it one Sunday afternoon. She was on her computer in Appomattox and I was on mine at my home and we were on the phone together deciding what to pay for it. That was the start of her career as a bass dulcimer player which was the foundation of subsequent groups that she formed and participated in. Lois, you are greatly missed. We will keep loving you in heaven. Karen Gibson

Posted by Karen Gibson on May 11, 2023

To the family, I met Lois when she was performing with the Appomattox Laptop Orchestra. She was a fun person, full of life, and definitely got the most out of retirement! You have my deepest sympathies, she will be missed. Dean Jarvis

Posted by Dean Jarvis on May 10, 2023

Dear Kathy, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. When I first began teaching at Potomac View, she was a friend and a help to me. On the playground we would find a minute to talk. Your mom always talked about you and Randy and what she had planned for you for the weekend-something fun. Her children were her everything. I’m glad to know that she was so busy with so many different activities after she left teaching.

Posted by Barbara Mallard on May 3, 2023