Lois Saunders Small

Lois Saunders Small, of Heritage Lane, Morganton, NC, formerly of Valdese, passed away, Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at Valdese General Hospital while surrounded by her family. Born on July 26, 1910 in Burke County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Bryce and Martha Saunders. Lois was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Valdese. She was a loving wife and mother who stayed at home to raise her family.Lois is survived by her sons, Robert "Bob" Small of Morganton and special friend, Vera Cabaniss of Valdese, and Lewis "Boots" Small and wife, Pat, of Valdese; grandchildren, Ann Small of Charlotte, NC and Mark Small of Mansfield, OH; and two great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Hayley Small.In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Shirley Augustus "Boots" Small; sisters, Maggie Watkins, Elizabeth Drummond, Alice Powell, Bertie Suttle, and Pearl Lambert Shull; a brother, Julius Saunders; a half-sister, Kate Lemmons; and a half-brother, Frank Saunders, of Hickory.The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 17, 2012 at Valdese First Baptist Church with Reverends Noel Schoonmaker and Glenn Kerstetter officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Valdese, 500 Faet Street, Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Family Life Center, c/o Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 704 Praley St. SW, Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.