Lois E. Huff Thompson
March 21, 1940 – September 26, 2016
LOIS ESTELLE HUFF THOMPSON was born, along with her twin brother, Floyd, on Thursday, March 21, 1940, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was the fifth of seven children born to Rev. Walter “Red” and Lucy Ann Sterling Huff. She received Christ as her personal Savior at the age of twelve and was baptized at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, under the leadership of Rev. Wesley Hayes. Rev. “Papa” Huff taught the four younger Huff children, Floyd, Lois, Queen Esther and Mildred, how to sing acapella. They were very active in church from sun up to sun down attending Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and singing at revivals and church services around Little Rock. Lois had a naturally beautiful voice. Floyd, being the only and oldest boy in this singing quartet, reminded Lois often, “I’m seven minutes older than you, and you’re supposed to do what I say because daddy said so.” Little petite Lois could hold her own and didn’t back down to big brother too often. She loved her siblings very much, especially that bossy twin brother, Floyd. If they thought they were going to push her around because she was the smallest, they were sadly mistaken and had another thing coming. Lois would get them off of her back by talkin’ ‘em down real good until they fled like the children of Israel running from the ten plagues out of Egypt to the Red Sea. After graduating from Horace Mann Senior High School in 1958, Lois enrolled in Velvatex Beauty College where she received her degree, then, her license from the state of Arkansas. She worked as a beautician for thirteen years at Deluxe Beauty Shop in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1966 she changed professions and worked for Timex Corporation, then, the Polaroid Corporation, assembling cameras until 1971. She moved to San Diego, California in 1972 and worked for the Honeywell Corporation. A supervisor opportunity became available at Cipher Data products in 1974. Set on always improving her skills, she acted quickly and soon became a departmental specialist until continual health problems caused her to retire in1980. Lois absolutely loved and leaned on God unconditionally. In 1979, she united with the Mt. Erie Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Walter G. Wells and faithfully served in the Sanctuary Choir, Matrons Auxiliary, and Hospitality Committee. Just look around on any Sunday and there was gentle smiling Lois, sitting in Sunday School in the morning and back that night for Baptist Training Union ready to hear God’s word. In February 2013, it was medically necessary for safety and health reasons, to move Lois from her Redwood Villa apartment into Balboa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Oh no, Miss Independent, didn’t go willingly or easily. She had that same fervor and fire exercised with that tongue like she did with those siblings back home at 2116 Dennison Street, in Little Rock—talk ‘em down until they flee or get ready to give in to her list of demands. Whether it was asking Mel (Big Head) and Lucille Lockhart for chewing gum or being the only resident at Balboa with ironed pajamas, or convincing Marvin Foster (Bro’) to sneak her favorite ice cream into room 310-C or worrying Rita EVERY WEEK for pressed hair, orange chicken from Panda Express and Burger King burgers; you know it had to be the “combo meal” of course, Lois Estelle Thompson was going to tell you about her needs loud and clear. You go girl! She was adored by Redwood Villa residents, all of her many, many friends, roommate, Miss Betty, and the skilled nursing facility staff. Lois loved puzzles, became the Balboa Rehab Bingo Queen and regularly went to Sunday Bible Study. She still even managed to roll into worship at Mt. Erie when her health permitted. Lois was served by a dedicated, loving, family caregiver team. She simply couldn’t stop talking about how “my” Pastor Wells came to her surprise 75th Birthday Celebration on March 21, 2015 at her favorite Sizzler restaurant. Mildred, her baby sister, and niece, Bertha, from Little Rock, Arkansas, were able to fulfill Lois’ last request with a hospital visit on the very day of her passing. God is truly an “On Time God!” We will miss our dear sweet sister, who will never need another California wheelchair placard again. As Floyd would often say, “I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it”. Can’t you just hear Lois telling Floyd when she arrived, “I’m here in heaven with you eternally, and there’s nothing you can do about that.” Well done, thy good and faithful servant. You finally get to rest. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mary Ann Huff-Cheeks; and her twin brother, Rev. Floyd Huff and his wife, Betty Huff. Lois leaves to cherish and celebrate her memory her spiritual son, Douglas C. White (Kathy), two granddaughters, Briana L. Taylor (Oneill) of Los Angeles, CA, Lauryn N. White of Long Beach, CA; one grandson, Daythun C. White of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Elder Walter L. (Doris) Huff of Terre Haute, Indiana and Arthur C. Huff of Little Rock, AR; two sisters, Queen Esther Duhart and Mildred L. (Elder Sylvester) Shaddawvine both of Little Rock, AR; God-Parents, Earnest and A. Lorraine Fearce of Murfreesboro, TN, The San Diego Caregiver Family and a host of nephews, nieces and many beloved friends. Services were held Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at Mt. Erie Baptist Church; interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
