Lois Purtee King, loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt and friend left this harsh world to live with our Lord on Sept. 9, 2021. A kinder, more compassionate, strong and generous woman would be hard to find.
Born in Spokane, WA on Nov. 18, 1949 to John and Lois Purtee, Lois grew up in the Spokane area and graduated from Rogers High School. At around 16 years old, she was introduced by her brother, Dale, to Bill & Nellie Jo Heaton. They were very active in the church and volunteered their time to serve God and others. Around this time, Lois’s mother suffered some medical setbacks and could no longer care for Lois. Bill and Nellie Jo were happy to help, and Lois went to live with the Heatons. Later in life after Lois’s parents had both passed away, Bill and Nellie Jo asked Lois if they could adopt her as their daughter. She was overjoyed and gladly accepted.
Lois earned her BSN from Biola University in La Mirada, CA. She was a career nurse and lived her life in service of others. While at Biola, she met the love of her life, Milton King. Milton and Lois were married on Dec. 20, 1975 and were married for nearly 46 years at her passing. Their love and dedication to one another was unsurpassed.
In 1980, Lois and Milton moved to Spokane Valley with their 1-year-old son Jay. They had 3 more sons and were very dedicated and loving parents. Lois loved to spend time with her family. She taught her boys how to fish, camp, play basketball and video games, cook, bake, sew and even taught them the crafts that she so loved. Lois was an amazing woman of many talents and loved decorating wedding cakes, quilting, cross stitch, tole painting, restoring furniture and the spontaneous remodeling of her home.
Lois was extremely passionate about her faith in the Lord. She was a steadfast prayer warrior and lived her life serving God. She volunteered countless hours for churches, schools and served as a camp counselor benefitting underprivileged children. She loved animals and had many pets. Predominantly dogs and cats, but also the occasional bunny or stray bird.
Locally, Lois worked as a nurse at Holy Family Hospital in Oncology for 2 years. She took a hiatus from her nursing career to raise her children. She helped a few friends by taking care of their children, too. She managed the Valley Christian Thrift Store for several years until it was closed. A few years later, she decided to pick up her career in nursing again and worked at Holman Gardens Retirement Community for 17 years before retiring to spend the following years with her family.
Though gone from our sight, we know Mama is cheering us on from Heaven and her light will never burn out!
Lois is survived by her loving husband, Milton King, 4 sons, Jay (Shilo), Joshua (Jesseca), Jamie, and Jeremy (Rachel), 3 grandchildren, Jaxon Nokes, Lily Rose King and Edison King, Mother Nellie Jo Heaton, all of Spokane and Spokane Valley, WA, and numerous extended family members. She is preceded into death by her parents, John Purtee and Lois Norris, Father William (Bill) Heaton, and 2 brothers, Dale and Don.
Our family would like to thank Shirley Todd of Lakewood, CA and Debbie Heden of Spokane Valley, WA for your many years of love and support. You were both so special to Mama and she considered you both her Sisters in Christ. To Pastor John Underhill…Mama is on the Roof.
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