Obituary

Lois Marie (Bickley) Carter, 90, died early in the morning of Saturday, September 16, 2023, in Charleston, West Virginia.

Lois was born on August 7, 1933, during the Dust Bowl era in Borger, Texas, to Calvin and Susie Lee (Copeland) Bickley.

Because of the ever-present danger of dust pneumonia in small children at that time, the family left the Panhandle and relocated to eastern New Mexico in 1934, first going to the Lingo area, and eventually settling on a farm near the Floyd community where Lois’ father farmed, and her mother taught school. A year after they arrived in New Mexico, her brother, Milz, was born.

In 1950, Lois graduated from Floyd High School at the age of 17, and then enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales for the first two years of her education. She moved to Dallas and completed a diploma in nursing from the Methodist Hospital of Dallas.

On September 30th, 1953, Lois married J.B. Carter in Dallas, Texas. During their marriage, Lois worked in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Public Health, IV therapy, Obstetrics, 0perating rooms, and General Nursing, as the family moved from Galveston, Texas, to Charleston, WV, then Peekskill, NY, and New Orleans, LA. She and J.B. had two daughters, Kathy and Beverly, before divorcing in November 1977.

Lois settled in Charleston, WV, where in 1978 she became a certified registered nurse-anesthetist through the Charleston Area Medical Center School of Anesthesia. She worked as a Nurse-Anesthetist for the remainder of her career and liked to joke that it was easy to put people to sleep—it was waking them back up again that was the gift.

Lois’ favorite song was John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” She felt West Virginia was truly the place where she belonged. She enthusiastically and wholeheartedly embraced the Mountain State, reveling in its natural beauty. Places dear to her heart included Kanawha State Forest, Pipestem Resort State Park, Hawks Nest State Park, and The Greenbrier.

Being in nature brought her deep satisfaction. She attracted legions of hummingbirds in feeders around her home and enjoyed birds of all kinds. She loved gardening. She belonged to the Kanawha Trail Club which offered hikes and companionship in the beautiful mountains around Charleston.

Music also brought joy. She was a member of the Kanawha Valley Friends of Old Time Music and Dance, and a fan and supporter of the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Chamber Music. She keenly followed current events via public radio and television and relished a lively discussion on almost any topic. Raising her daughters served to strengthen her advocacy for women’s rights which included membership in the National Organization for Women.

As long as she could, she also loved to travel, especially when it involved visits to her extended family.

Lois was preceded in death by her brother, Milz Bickley, and a grandson, Adam Busch.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Hanline (Derwood) and Beverly Busch (Keith); four grandchildren, Lori Campanola (Peter), Karen McBrayer (Jesse), Alex Busch, and Stephen Busch; three great-grandchildren, Samuel Campanola, Daniel Campanola, and Benjamin McBrayer; her sister-in-law, Betty Williamson; a niece, Katie Bickley; and a cousin, Pat Crimmins. Friends include Rachel Hatfield and her Charleston Area Medical Center anesthesia colleagues.

Mom’s Favorite Poem was IF by Rudyard Kipling it sustained her through hard times. Lois is well-described in these words written by a dear friend, Christine:

LOIS
Will faithfully honor
All commitments made,
Yet pushed too far,
A Warrior Maid.

As Lois requested, her body was cremated, and no services are planned. Her ashes will be returned to some of the beautiful places she loved.

Arrangements were handled by Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home.