Lois Eloise Caraway Samuel, of Wilmington, died peacefully Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, at Davis Health Care due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease, with which she was afflicted for over 16 years. . She was 74.
Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2015, at First Baptist Missionary Church, 520 N. 5th Ave.. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Lois was born on Feb. 2, 1941, in Hartsville, South Carolina to Theo Caraway and Corrine Harris Caraway. She received her primary and secondary education in Durham, graduating from Hillside High School. Lois was the first in her family to attend college, earning her nursing degree from the Winston-Salem State University Katie B. Reynolds School of Nursing.
Early in her career, she worked as a registered nurse and dietitian in the Duke University Medical System. However, the majority of her career in nursing was spent as a registered nurse in Wilmington at several medical facilities, including Community Hospital, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Cape Fear Memorial Hospital and Davis Health Care Center, as well as in the field of private duty nursing.
Lois married Ronald Samuel, of Wilmington, on Nov. 22, 1967, and from their union had one daughter, April Ronnel Samuel Perry. Lois was a very loving and involved wife and mother. A member of First Baptist Missionary Church in Wilmington, Lois served in a variety of ways, including as a member of the Senior Choir and as a co-leader of the church’s Girl Scout troop. In addition, Lois volunteered with the Cape Fear Rape Crisis Center, now a part of Coastal Horizons Center, and at Elderhaus, an adult daycare for seniors.
A voracious reader, Lois’ hobbies also included gardening and walking. To her surprise and delight, she found enjoyment working in the local film industry, appearing as an extra on a number of “Matlock” episodes, as well as in other locally filmed productions.
Lois is survived by her husband, Ronald Samuel, of Wilmington; her daughter, April Perry and her husband Efrem, of Woodstock, Maryland; grandsons, Efrem Perry Jr., Elijah Perry and Joshua Perry, of Woodstock, Maryland; brothers, James Caraway and Charles Caraway; sister, Peggy Caraway; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be sent to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive Wilmington, NC 28401.
Special thanks to the staff and volunteers of Lower Cape Fear Hospice and to the staff of Davis Health Care Center for their gracious care and support. In addition, special thanks to Deacon Nixon of First Baptist Missionary Church for his regular visits to pray with and for Lois and to the staff of Davis Funeral Home for their assistance.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Davis Funeral Home.
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