Lois Helen Samson Norris, age 85, of Louisville, passed away on September 7, 2021. She was born on August 14, 1936 in Ashland, Kentucky, to the late Smith and Irma Samson. She was a retired property tax clerk with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the city clerk for the City of Hollow Creek for over 20 years, and a former teacher in the Jefferson County Public Schools.
Lois graduated from Ashland High School in 1954 and from Eastern Kentucky University in 1958. As a resident of Hollow Creek in Louisville, Lois was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church for over 40 years. After the closing of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, she became a member of Peace Lutheran Church where she attended services for the past 15 years.
To her children and grandchildren, she was the most selfless person they have ever known. She gave her all to her family. Of all the hats she wore in her life, Lois answered most frequently to “Mom” and “Grandma.” She loved her family immensely, and that love was surpassed only by the love her family had for her. She enjoyed family gatherings at her Louisville home, where she raised her five children and lived for 56 years.
As an avid fan of the Kentucky Derby, Lois enjoyed collecting Kentucky Derby mint julep glasses. She was also a longtime member of the Serenity Hikers and traveled across the South and Midwest on hiking trips. She had a lifelong love for reading and for animals. The list of pets she had is too numerous to mention here, but her most beloved of all were a dog, Floyd, and a cat, Rusty, who survives her.
Lois is survived by her five children and their spouses: Andrea and Joe Lapp of Raleigh, North Carolina, Scott and Sherrie Norris of Glendale, Kentucky, Keith and Elizabeth Norris of Fairfield, Ohio, Rick and Karen Norris of Crestwood, Kentucky, and John and Katie Norris of Taylorsville, Kentucky; her grandchildren: Amanda, Tyler, April, Sarah, Madison, Savannah, Sarah, and Samantha; her sister Dolores Samson, of Rapid River, Michigan; and two brothers, Wayne Samson of Gladstone, Michigan and Dan Samson of Escanaba, Michigan.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her longtime companion, Erwin “Erv” Heimstaedt, with whom she enjoyed dining out and going to plays at Derby Dinner Playhouse, and with whom she traveled to Germany, Ireland, Alaska, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, and many other places.
Andrea, Scott, Keith, Rick, John and their families would like to express their gratitude for all of the cards, letters, phone calls, flowers, and well-wishes during our mother, mother in law, and grandmother’s illness. In addition, the family would like to thank the staff at Baptist Health Louisville hospital, Magnolia Springs East Louisville, Glen Ridge Health Campus, and Hosparus Health for the excellent care they provided for Lois.
Visitation will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home (4400 Bardstown Road Louisville, Kentucky 40218), with funeral services to follow at 2 PM.
Expressions of sympathy and gifts in Lois’ memory may be made to Hosparus Health or Peace Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
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