Lois Edith Anderson Neal was born in Norwalk, Connecticut on June 16, 1929 to Rev. Alfred and Lydia Anderson. A true scholar, Lois graduated from New Canaan High school, Eastern Nazarene College, Springfield College, and Morehead State University. During her undergraduate years, she represented her college by traveling throughout New England and the East Coast with a vocal trio.
Lois’s first teaching assignment was in a two-room school house in rural Maine. She later taught in Massachusetts, Missouri, and Kentucky. As a specialist in learning disabilities, Lois championed all learners—especially those who struggled the most in a traditional curriculum. She brought a passion for creative learning and career coaching to her beloved job as a guidance counselor at Russell High School. Lois also taught courses for the Nazarene Bible College, and had a deep interest in Old Testament history.
Lois was extremely musical, artistic, athletic, and exceedingly generous in all things including time, prayer, and finances. She always found a quiet way to care for anyone struggling. She spent countless hours cooking gourmet meals, baking, sewing, tutoring, teaching violin and piano, and creating study guides and materials. All these things were given with love to those who needed them most.
As a pastor’s wife, she gave tirelessly of her many talents to each congregation, and spent decades teaching Sunday school, running Vacation Bible schools, children’s programs, coordinating missionary efforts through Nazarene Missions International, playing the piano, singing in the choir, and listening to and encouraging others.
Lois was predeceased by her husband, Paul, her parents, and her siblings, Irma, Joseph, and Alfred. She is survived by her three daughters; Lola Brickey, Lisa (Keith) Gillim, and Lynbeth (John) Lorey), her nine grandchildren; (Hunter Brickey, Lauren (JK) Coleman, Lydia Gillim, Austin Gillim, Anderson Gillim, Christian Gillim, Jack Lorey, Julia Lorey, and Kainoah Lorey), her sister, Esther Shenk, her niece, Carol Witherwax and her nephew, Robert Dickerson.
Lois’s family is deeply grateful for the beautiful love and care that Ani Mirza provided during the last two years. What a precious friend and gift she has been to Lois and all those who love her!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neal Family Foundation, Church of the Nazarene Foundation, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66220 or online at www.nazarenefoundation.org. The foundation supports efforts to share the love of Jesus through missions.
The family has requested no public service at this time. Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.carmanfuneral.com