Lois Allison

A 4th generation Houstonian, Lois was born on the 9th of September 1922, in Houston, Texas to Katherine Schwander Highams and Wilson Hurn Highams. Her parents preceded her in death as well as her sister Katherine Highams Gardner and husband Samuel Whips Allison.

Lois graduated from Lamar High School in 1939 and went on to study at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1943. Lois eventually met the love of her life, Samuel Whips Allison. The two wed on 26th of April 1947 in Houston, Texas and soon after had four beloved children Lynn, Diane, Hurn and Pat. Although their time together was cut short due to her husband’s untimely death, Lois continued to love only Sam until the day she died.

An unexpected life as a widow with four children under the age of 11 would intimidate most, but Lois, the always unshakable force, committed her life to being the best mother and father possible. Her devotion to her children was abundant with an endless fountain of affection, support and care so each knew they were loved. Though her stature was small, Lois was known for her tenacity and unyielding manner, even if that meant standing on the stair-steps to be taller than her children when enforcing her authority. She was the embodiment of a true matriarch and always expressed the singular importance of family.

Lois’ life was an incredibly rich one filled with numerous activities surrounded family and friends. She served as president of the Houston Country Club Ladies Association, was a member of the Late Bloomers Garden Club and The Charity Guild. She pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma in college and remained an active member throughout her life, earning the honor of her 75-year pin. Lois was also a devoted member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, where she could often be seen sitting in the third-pew, closest to the center, never missing a mass.

Weekly bridge games took place at her home where she battled for nickels. She also often enjoyed snacking on lump crabmeat salads with her “Lunch Bunch,” the same group of women with whom she lunched regularly for nearly 50-years.

Lois was an avid traveler and made sure to see the world with her handbag and white tic-tacs in tow. Whether it was riding an elephant in Sri Lanka, going on a Safari in Kenya, taking in the museums in London or catching a Broadway show in New York City, Lois entertained her family with many stories of her travels and collected treasures from all over the globe. Many of these treasures took the form of her favorite creatures, elephants and butterflies, as she amassed quite the collection. Though, she was always careful to select elephant figurines with the trunk pointed up – a sign of good luck.

While Lois trotted the globe and collected a life full of stories, her favorite place to be was at home surrounded by her loved ones, snacking on her famous cheese straws or a mini Blue Bell ice-cream cone. As her family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, it became clear that she had infinite love to go around. She never missed a birthday, ensuring each child, grandchild and great-grandchild was treated to a special gift. She attended countless graduations, first-communions, camp closings, soccer games, cheerleading pep-rallies, baseball games, school plays and wrestling matches, ensuring she was present for every milestone no matter how big or small.

Lois gave her time to those she loved, and perhaps the greatest gift to her family was her enduring presence in their lives.

Lois is survived by her four children and their spouses, Lynn Allison Mercer and husband Timothy D. Mercer, Diane Allison Owings and husband Allen J. Owings, Ronald Hurn Allison and wife Karen Brown Allison, and Patrick Fleming Allison and wife Allison Cain Allison as well as her 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with one on the way, who all affectionately called her Mompsie. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins she so dearly loved in Houston and Memphis also survive her.

The family would like to especially thank the caregivers who lovingly assisted Lois, particularly in her final days; Margaret Adebei, Luzelena Bedoya, Blanca Diaz, Betty McClinton, Lisa Mortenson, Rohey Njie, Angela Omoogun, Maria Perla, Mariana Reyes, Mudirat Sotunde and Deborah Williams. They would also like to thank Houston Hospice for their care and guidance.

A memorial mass is to be conducted at half-past twelve o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 2nd of June, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston, celebrated by Fr. Jay Walsh. Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.