Lois (Deiss) Davidheiser

Mrs. Lois Davidheiser (nee Deiss), 93, a resident of Colfax, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2023 at River Landing at Sandy Ridge (RLSR).  A celebration of life service will be held, Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 2 p.m. at RLSR, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC.  A reception will be held for family and friends immediately following the service.

Born October 11, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA, Lois was the only child of Christopher Albert and Margaret Avalon (Rowe) Deiss.  Attending Lansdowne High School, Lois excelled academically and in athletics.  She was Valedictorian, yearbook Editor, and played field hockey and basketball, where she was Captain her Senior year.   High school accomplishments earned her a 4-year scholarship to the University of Delaware.  Her studies were challenged her sophomore year as she commuted between home and campus to care for her mother who was seriously injured in an automobile accident.  Nevertheless, Lois ultimately served in various student government capacities and, as a senior,  became a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Mortarboard Honor Societies. She graduated in 1951, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, one of only three women in that discipline, and was awarded the Emalea Pusey Warner Award for outstanding woman in her graduating class, recognizing her leadership, academic achievement and community service.

A pair of hand-knit argyle socks led to a proposal of marriage by Edward William Davidheiser, who she had met on a blind date in 1947.  They were married March 1, 1952. 

Although Lois’ desire was to become a CPA, in those days women were discouraged from entering what was considered a man’s field.  She went to work in the Engineering Division of Factory Mutual Insurance.  With Ed’s career as a sales professional taking off, they moved 9 times to various Midwest states in the first 10 years of marriage.  While she no longer worked outside the home, she put her accountant inclination to good use through all their married life, managing the household budget to the last decimal and conferring with Ed on their investments.

Lois and Ed raised two daughters and settled in Arlington Heights, IL for 29 years.  Lois was active in the community, as a Girl Scout Leader; member and leader of her women’s Circle at 1st Presbyterian Church of A.H.; spearheaded the initiative to block installation of sidewalks in the tree-lined yards of Scarsdale; enjoyed playing tennis; and was an avid and competitive bridge player. When the girls were older, she was employed as Head of Circulation for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and shortly thereafter elected to the Board where she served 10 years, becoming Vice President and President.  The library’s size and prestige owe much to her efforts.  During her tenure, a library addition was approved, doubling its physical size and ranking it third in the state in circulation.

She took up golf prior to retiring to Pinehurst, NC with Ed in 1992.  Over 20 years there, they travelled to numerous destinations throughout the world, many of them playing golf.  Lois was active in Presbyterian Women and was the Chairperson of the Administration/Personnel Committee for Community Presbyterian Church.

Prompted by years of her husband’s persuasion to move to a retirement community, in 2012, Lois and Ed moved to River Landing at Sandy Ridge, which Lois found to be a wonderful home after just 24 hours on campus!  They had 2 wonderful years together there, and were married 62 years, prior to Ed’s death in 2014.  Lois was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of High Point and found her faith strengthened by weekly vespers at River Landing.

Throughout her life Lois found great joy in maintaining long-lasting friendships.  She relished sending hand-painted personal cards, intricately colored coloring book pages, and beautifully written newsy notes.  She treasured the community of friends at RLSR, particularly the Lucky 7.  Lois considered that the Lord had ordered her steps in life and frequently said, “I am much blessed.”   

Lois is survived by daughters, Lee Ann Weinberg and husband Ed of Wilmington, NC; Alane Frakes and husband Bill of Colfax, NC; grandson Michael Weinberg and wife Katie of Des Peres, MO; granddaughter Jodi Adams and husband Trace of Wilmington, NC; and great grandchildren Corey Weinberg and wife Sydney of Glendale, MO; Haley Weinberg of Chicago, IL; and Kurt Weinberg of Indianapolis, IN; Will and Tyler Adams of Wilmington, NC; great-great granddaughter, Charlotte Weinberg of Glendale, MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in memory of Lois to First Presbyterian Church, 918 N. Main St., High Point, NC 27262 (www.firstpreshp.org) or Greensboro Urban Ministry, 305 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, NC  27406 (www.greensborourbanministry.org).

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