Lois Almedia Nesbit Wiegand Bannantine

She was born July 3, 1925 in Dallas, Texas to parents Samuel F. and Mary Lois Nesbit.

Almedia graduated from North Dallas High School in 1942 at the age of 16. Upon graduation, she began school at North Texas Agriculture College. A year later, she transferred to the University of Texas at Austin and became engaged to Oscar F. Wiegand her senior year. Before their wedding, Oscar was shipped overseas to serve in the United States Army in WWII. Almedia returned to Dallas and worked as a bridal consultant at Neiman Marcus until 1949.

Almedia and Oscar married on April 8, 1949. They moved many times from Austin, to Commerce, to Dallas, to Guadalajara, Mexico and back to Austin making lifelong friends along the way. They had five children together, Marc, Paul, Kristan, Jan and Tobin. They were married 52 years.

During her 39 years in Austin, Almedia focused her unstoppable energy on her children, her friends, her Catholic faith and volunteering. She played bridge, gardened, sewed, loved classical music, played tennis and was much admired for her ever-positive attitude and playful, competitive spirit. She was the heart and grounding force of her family. Once her children were grown, Almedia went back to work and retired after 18 years at the Texas State Consumer Credit Commissioner's Office. When Oscar retired from teaching at The University of Texas at Austin, they moved to San Antonio to be closer to children and grandchildren. Oscar passed in 2001.

In San Antonio, Almedia expanded her circle of friends and admirers. She was a devoted member of her San Antonio parish, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She became active in the Saint Vincent de Paul service charity and the Silver Star's senior group, where she met her husband George "Bud" Bannantine. They were married August 13, 2005. During their marriage, Almedia and Bud seamlessly combined two boisterous families, made many trips abroad and were passionate volunteers. Almedia dedicated herself to the service of others, such as her lifelong membership in the P.E.O Sisterhood which provides scholarships for young women.

She was preceded in death by her husband Oscar, beloved stepmother Winifred Small Nesbit and son Paul B. Wiegand DDS.

Almedia is survived by her husband, George Bannantine; her children, Marc F. Wiegand and wife Debra Leggett, Kristan Wiegand Beck and husband Steve, Jan Wiegand Haynes and husband Ron and Tobin L. Wiegand and wife Laura; step-children, Jim Bannantine, Julie Bannantine and husband Sandy Parlier and Bob Bannantine and wife Margaret; 18 grandchildren, Lauren Hagy, Christopher Hagy, Emily Wiegand (Art Levy), Jon Wiegand (Allison Pye), Austin, Julia (EJ Gibson), Meredyth and Kerry Wiegand; Graham, Kit, Sean and Liz Bannantine; Amy and Andrew Parlier; and one great-grandchild.

Almedia will be remembered as a joyful force of nature who was strong, ever dispensing practical advice and doing "brisk things." She was more than a mother, aunt, grandmother or friend. She instilled the gifts of family, community and unwavering faith to anyone who knew her.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Almedia be remembered by donations to a charity of your choosing.