Lois Paxton

Lois C. Paxton passed away, mid-morning on Monday, October 7, 2013, at her home in Cary, NC with family by her side. She was born the middle daughter to the late Lester Ezra Clingenpeel and Ada Blanche Young in Roanoke, VA. on February 27, 1926. She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Elizabeth "Bibby" Hodges; son Ronald Dewey Cooke; grandson Stephen Lillard; and husband William Jennings "Jack" Paxton, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law Larry Witcher; daughter-in-law, Susan C. Cooke; stepdaughter Wanda Neal; previous husband, Dewey H. Cooke; and very special life-long friend, Lois Craig. Lois grew up in Roanoke, VA., and at an early age developed a love for dancing when she was given a new pair of tap shoes. This love grew with her and before long she was ballroom dancing in New Orleans with Fred Astaire Company and at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA. She was always performing and teaching all venues of dance everywhere she lived, and would share that love with everyone she knew. She handed down this love of dance to her family and generations to come. Everyone that knew her is sure she is in heaven dancing and teaching the angels to dance. Lois also loved to learn, was very intelligent and skipped two grades in school. She loved to write and sent numerous articles to the paper. She also published a favorite picture of the farm in the winter and a favorite recipe. Mid-life she went back to school, earning her nurse's license and ending up at the top of her class. As an LPN, she worked at Roman Eagle Nursing Home where she truly cared for many patients and their families. Lois moved around some in her early adult years and had fond memories of spending time with her sons, Ronnie and Roger, in Washington, DC. She settled in Danville, VA., where she lived for many years. Lois loved life more than words can express. She especially loved spending as much time as possible with her family. Living with so many wonderful memories are sister Mae Clingenpeel Kidd and husband Guy Kidd; brother-in-law Claude Hodges; son Roger Stephen Cooke and daughter-in-law Teresa Cooke; daughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Cooke Shackelford and husband Larry Shackelford; stepdaughter Wyona Paxton Witcher; son-in-law Bill Neal; and many grandchildren who brought so much joy and pride to her life. These grandchildren and spouses include Warren Douglas "Doug" Cooke and wife Beth; Jennifer Cooke Bagbey and husband, Chad; Crystal Ann Michele Shackelford; Cory Brandon Shackelford; William "Will" Paxton Witcher; and Emily Neal Roper and husband Brian. Her wonderful great grandsons include Dalton Bagbey, Trevor Bagbey, Greyson Cooke, Nick Cooke and Clay Lillard, along with his son her great great-grandson Colton Lillard. Lois was and will always be known to her grandchildren as "WoWo' which to the second generation of grandchildren evolved into "WoWee". She will always be Mom, Mama and Mother to everyone. She had many extended sons and daughters as she loved life and loved to feed' anyone that came by. She was an out of this world cook and shared that love with her children and grandchildren while teaching them to cook too. Lois retired from Roman Eagle after suffering a fall which threatened her mobility. She overcame many obstacles, was determined to live life to the fullest and regained her ability to dance. She loved people and became involved in many activities. She was an extra in the movie "Crazy People", participated in fashion shows, dance events, parades, pageants and thoroughly enjoyed her days line dancing with the girls, doing the "Watermelon Crawl" and "Boot Scoot and Boogie". She also danced a snazzy jazz routine at the Harvest Jubilee. She always had a strong connection and love for animals. As long as most can remember she had cats, dogs, and as many bird feeders as possible. She loved her bird feeders and especially her red birds. Also living with fond, loving memories are her grand-dogs Gracie, Murphy, Max, Remmington, Rusty Max, Kofi and "Shack". Later in life, she moved to Cary, NC to live with her daughter and family. She continued to take care of them, dance around, and love the grandchildren and grand-dogs who referred to her as "Nana". She continued to adopt many more friends and family with her exuberant love of life. She always kept busy and kept moving. Lois taught so many people to love life, have faith, keep moving, and love each other and animals. She was always pleasant, even in the rough times. Lois was diagnosed with a terminal type of cancer at age 80. Hats off to Duke Oncology (http://www.dukehealth.org/cancer/about/giving/about-us/) for giving her seven more wonderful years of the life she cherished, without cancer. It did return in the last several months. Many thanks to Hospice of Wake County for the comfort and love in the last couple months (https://apps.hospiceofwake.org/donate.php?mode=publicview) . Monetary donations in her memory can be sent to these organizations or to your local animal shelter or favorite animal society. The family will receive loved ones at a visitation on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Townes Funeral Home 215 W. Main Street Danville, VA. 24541. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Townes Funeral Home, followed by a graveside memorial and burial at Sharon Baptist Church 241 Stony Mill Road Danville, VA. 24540. The family wishes to thank everyone who touched her life and asks that you bring your fondest memories to share.