LISBON – Lois Ann Beechum died peacefully at her home in Lisbon on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. She courageously battled cancer for more than 10 years yet found time and strength throughout to make several vacation trips to Europe, her annual volunteer mission trips to South Carolina and other places in the U.S.

She was born in Farmington on March 13, 1943, the second daughter of Muriel Arlene (Lane) Morse and Ronald James Morse. She spent most of her childhood on Macomber Hill in Jay and attended Emerson Grammar School in North Jay and Jay High School. She was a proud member of the JHS 60-year class of 1961.

Lois married Bryce F. Thomas of Jay in 1960; they had four children together. They divorced in 1972. He died in November 1987. As a young mother, she served as Sunday School teacher and superintendent in her home church, Bartlett Memorial UMC in North Jay. From 1974 to 1977 she served in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Spec. 4. A decorated M16 Sharpshooter, most of her active service was spent in Germany where she worked as a chauffeur driving generals and other dignitaries all over West Germany. She once drove a young General Colin Powell from one city to another in that country. While stationed in Germany, she met her second husband, Thomas E. Beechum of Des Moines, Iowa, a career Army soldier who was twice wounded in Viet Nam. They were married on Dec. 31, 1978. For more than 20 years, they made their home between Woodman and Macomber Hills in Jay. Together, they were long-time members and active leaders in the Lane-Dube AMVET Post #33. Lois coordinated the banquet facility there and was named “AMVET of the Year” in 1992. Tom died in September 1999.

Lois came from a long line of excellent chefs and over the years was in charge of many other kitchens, including LaFleur’s in Jay, The Lamp in Lisbon, the Wednesday City Mission Meals at Calvary UMC in Lewiston, and her annual 3-week United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Projects in South Carolina. With a passion for volunteering, she also faithfully served the High Street Food Pantry in Auburn and the Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston. She was awarded the highest honor given by the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church for outstanding mission service. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Auburn. She loved to travel and took many trips with her husband Tom, her children, friends, and members of her extended church family. After her retirement, she worked for a few years as a travel tour guide for Northeast Charter and Tour.

She will be greatly missed by her family, including her beloved Lane Family Reunion and Stampede, and her many friends. Lois is survived by three daughters, Alison S. Hansen and partner Dan Richards, Lori A. Thomas and her husband Carl Poirier and his children, Stephanie, Stephen (Sarah) and Sarah, and Alicia Beechum Dorsey and her husband Jody; two sons, Mitchell Clyde Thomas, and Lane R. Thomas and his wife Laurie, her daughter-in-law, Carmen L.H. Thomas; six grandchildren, Stephanie Hansen Michaud (Troy), Marcy Smith Carter (Corey, Sr.), Bryce N. Thomas, Hayden R. Thomas, Elias E. Thomas, and Zacarias Dorsey; great-grandchildren, Haley, Corey, Jr. and Emily Carter; her aunts, Lorraine Morse Merchant and Bertha Morse Harris; brother-in-law, Richard Beechum (Nancy), sisters-in-law, Peggy McDonald and Marilyn Dubord; nephews, Ethan Wing (Martha), Dana Wing (Diane), niece, Beth Wing Pelletier (Paul), and several other nieces and nephews, great, and great-great nieces and nephews; many cousins on both the Lane and Morse sides of her family; her special granddaughter, Kristen Brooks and her children Jade and Jameson; two special nephews, Rick Smith II and Mathew Smith; and her long-time companion, Gordon Sweet.

She was predeceased by her parents; both of her husbands, her dear sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth J. (Betty) and Ronald D. Wing, several other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many cherished cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The family expresses gratitude to the outstanding staffs of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice in Lewiston, and Elite Homecare LLC of Buckfield. Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com

A Celebration of Life will be held for Lois A. Beechum on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Auburn, 439 Park Ave., Auburn, ME 04210. A time for visiting will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. just prior to the Celebration. Arrangements by FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the Mission Programs supported by Lois’s church, including High Street Food Pantry, Trinity Jubilee Center, and UMC Volunteers in Mission Projects, C/O United Methodist Church of Auburn

439 Park Ave.

Auburn, ME 04210

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