Lois Juanita Bickett Haines Dixon

WILMINGTON Lois Juanita Bickett Haines Dixon passed from this life on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 1:30 pm. She was 89 years old.

Lois was born on April 15, 1924, the daughter of Joseph Turnbull and Dorothy Baughan Bickett of Xenia, Ohio. She grew up on the family farm with her siblings, Joan, Bud, John, Wendell, Ruth, and Janet.

In 1946 she married William F. Haines, also of Xenia, to whom she was married for 44 years. Together they had two children, Steven F. Haines and Leesa L. Haines Hisem. In 1955 the family moved to Wilmington, and opened the family business "The Camera Shop," on West Main Street.

Lois was a familiar face at the family store, and later at both Wilmington Senior High School, and the Clinton County Mental Health Center. During her nearly 30 years of service to WHS and CCMHC, Lois endeared herself to countless students, teachers, clients and co-workers with her warmth, generosity and dedicated service.

When the family business was sold, Lois found herself in a new role as pastor's wife as husband Bill entered the lay pastorate of the United Methodist Church. Together they crafted a ministry that blessed and nurtured the lives of many; most especially the congregations of the Harveysburg and Oregonia United Methodist churches and, later, Villars Chapel UMC. Their collaborative ministry lasted until shortly before Bill's passing in 1990.

Lois married James W. Dixon in the fall of 1991, and together they embarked on many months of travel throughout the United States, visiting family and friends and enjoying places that piqued their curiosity. Lois loved to travel, and especially enjoyed her adventures in San Francisco, Alaska, and Hawaii, although she was equally appreciative and content in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and points much closer to home.

Her love of reading, music and learning led Lois to regular participation in the classes offered by the Wilmington Institute for Lifelong Learning where she made many new friends. Her creative and detailed work as a seamstress and her love of the theatre led her to frequent participation in the costuming work of the Wilmington College-Community Summer Theatre. Likewise, her children and grandchildren were often gifted with the beauty and inventiveness of her creations.

Lois was a lady of strong and quiet faith, and was a member of the Wilmington United Methodist Church - a place where her love of friends, music, message, and God found a tremendous and affirming outlet. Worshipping in the company of her dear friends Daphne Blackburn and Ginny Freudenberger was a certain joy for her.

Beyond her spiritual center, the focus of Lois' life was her family and her large, diverse extended family. She is survived by a son, Steven F. (Becky) Haines and a daughter, Leesa L. (Jeffrey) Hisem, her cherished granddaughters Elizabeth Hisem, and Abigail (Kevin) Kaselak, and her dearly loved great-grandson Kolton Kaselak.

Also surviving are her much loved siblings, Ronald (Ina Lou) Bickett, John Bickett, Ruth (Lonnie) Shattuck, and Janet Bickett, all of Xenia, Ohio.

She is also survived by her three step-daughters Sandi (Ed) Davis, Barbara (Kent) Ames, and Virginia Dixon each of whom she easily and lovingly welcomed into her family.

Preceding her in death were her husbands Williams F. Haines and James W. Dixon, and two siblings Joan White and Wendell Bickett.

Lois will be remembered as a lady of great faith, warm and generous spirit, as well as a person whose universally offered friendship touched and blessed countless lives.

The family would like to express their tremendous thanks to the nursing staff of Clinton Memorial Hospital, Dr. Skip Leeds and team, Dr. Mangala Venkatesh, and Lezli Henman for their unfailingly devoted work. Equally sincere thanks are offered to the gentle and inspiring work of everyone at Community Care Hospice, as well as to Janie Bray, Craig Jaynes, Dale Hayes, the Rev. Dean Feldmeyer, and the countless family and friends who were of such selfless support during a difficult time.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon, Monday, September 30 at the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 50 East Locust Street, with the Rev. Dean Feldmeyer officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia, Ohio.

Friends may call from 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, September 29 at the Reynolds-Smith Funeral Home, 327 N. South Street, Wilmington, Ohio.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the music department of the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 50 East Locust Street, Wilmington, or to the Wilmington College Community Summer Theatre Student Internship, c/o Office of Advancement, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington.

For more information or to sign the registry of condolences, please visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com.