Lois Carolyn Utz Whorton May 17, 1932 – April 18, 2021
Lois Carolyn Utz Whorton, age 88, died Sunday morning April 18, 2021 at her home in Centreville, Virginia. She was born in Rappahannock County, VA in the tiny settlement of Estes, on May 17, 1932. She was the 6th of nine children of Mary Elizabeth (Smith) and Thomas Herbert Utz, who owned and operated the Estes General Store. Her father also served as postmaster at that location from1934 to 1954 when post office moved to Castleton.
Lois was only five years old when her mother died during childbirth in 1937. Two years after her mother’s death, her father remarried Ressie G. Whorton –or “Grandma Utz” as she became known.
Lois attended school at Forest Grove Elementary School in Forest Grove, Virginia and graduated from Washington High School in Washington, VA in 1950. With a senior class of only 15 members, Lois made lifelong friends and enjoyed class reunions. During her school years she was secretary of Home Economics Club, received the Junior Homemakers Degree, was captain of softball team, a member of the school basketball team, and senior class treasurer.
In addition to her household chores, Lois helped her father cashier at their country store and also assisted him with postmaster duties, which is probably where she learned to be meticulous and “work figures” with pencil and paper—which she still did even into her old age though she had an adding machine. (Lois would even check behind the CPA who prepared her tax returns to make sure the math was correct—occasionally it was not.) After graduation, Lois worked at the Southern Garment Pants Factory that used to be in Culpeper, VA until she got married.
Lois’s step-mother had seven brothers and when one of them, Frank Baylus Whorton, realized he was no blood relation to Lois, he excitedly pursued a dating relation with Lois. They were married on June 23, 1951 in Flint Hill, Virginia. Lois and Dad moved to Centreville, VA and decided they wanted a very traditional family—Dad would provide the bacon by working as a carpenter in Washington DC and Lois would stay at home with the children and cook the bacon.
This worked perfect for them because Lois had the gift of hospitality and became an excellent cook as many can attest to. If it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, Lois got to Dad’s heart very early on. She always wanted to have the best meals cooked—and if it was your birthday or special occasion—she prepared your favorites. Lois always remembered everyone’s favorites and many of her recipes have notations that say — “these are Dad’s favorite, this is Marke’s favorite cake or “Bubba’s favorite cookies.” And you didn’t even have to be related for her to remember your favorites. Occasionally she would still comment on what a former pastor of 40 years ago loved! Lois was always trying to please and was a gracious hostess. In those early years long before the dining room, it never seemed to bother her how many dozens of people had to eat in shifts around the table in her tiny kitchen.
Neither of our parents were followers of Christ at the time of their marriage but approximately two and a half years later, on Sunday, January 31, 1954, they both knelt at home to pray and asked Jesus into their lives and marriage. Lois and Dad started daily prayers and bible reading at home. They also attended as many church and revival services as possible. Along with several other young couples, they mortgaged their home to purchase the property and start a new church that became Centreville Assembly of God. As founding members, they worked faithfully and tirelessly at the church where Lois served for many years in various capacities—including deacon, church secretary, church treasurer, Sunday School teacher (for classes for beginners to adults). She played the piano and accordion for worship and worked many years in the nursing home ministry.
Lois was a very creative, detailed, industrious person and loved to utilize all the skills she was taught in her Home Economics classes. She was like the energizer bunny rabbit…always on the go with some project or job to do. Until her health no longer permitted, we never ever saw her sit down, relax, and just read a book or something other than her regular bible studies. She loved summers when she could cook, can, or freeze all the goodies in their large garden. She had a “green thumb” and loved her flower gardens, propagating violets in her home, and in the last year when she could no longer work even a tiny garden, she grew tomatoes and veggies in bucket on back porch.
Lois was an excellent seamstress and winters meant she had even more time to crochet, sew and make clothes for herself, us kids and others. In her earlier years at Christmas time, Lois also cooked and sold old-time applesauce fruitcakes with fresh black walnuts to supplement their income. Later, for extra spending money she made various sorts of crafts to sell including “modge podge” wall hangings. She took the Wilton Cake Decorating classes and became quite proficient and was in great demand for her beautiful and delicious cakes, including huge wedding creations until Dad’s failing health caused her to retire.
Lois also loved to learn and taught herself to play the piano and accordion and when the first typewriter showed up in our home, she taught herself to type. Even into her 70s Lois still wanted to learn so we got her a computer. She taught herself to use a number of the creative photography programs and made each of us beautiful photo albums of family memories. Watching Lois learn to use a cell phone and text was a source of merriment.
Lois loved Jesus to the very end for all He had done for her and her family. She continued to love our Dad passionately even after he went to be with the Lord in 2008. She has loved us four children and our spouses like they were her own children, all which survive her: Linda and Smokey (Jim) Winstead, Jackie and Marke Rawlings, Frank and Judy Whorton II, Vickie and Riley Watts.
Lois is also survived by the following grandchildren: Heather Whorton Meade and husband, Chris; Carson Winstead; Melissa Whorton Garza and husband, Eric; Jessica Rawlings; Frank Whorton III and wife, Rachel; Nathan Rawlings and wife, Brittany; Steve, RB, & Bonnie Watts. Surviving also are great-children: Justin and Jackson Meade; Tyrus, Ethan, Jace, and Ava Garza; Emilia Whorton, Riley Watts III, Brieanna, Garrett, Morgan, Riley Nicole, and Alysa Watts.
In addition Lois is survived by one brother, Donald R. Utz of Strasburg, VA; and one sister, “Etta” (Glenna) Utz Buchanan and her husband, Jerry of Manassas, VA along with many nieces and nephews, Lois is also survived by brother and sister-inlaws: Joel Grizzle, Shirley Utz, and Rose Utz-Truitt.
Lois was predeceased by her parents and step-mother; her brothers: Menefee, “Sonny,” Floyd, “Dick” (Harold Ray), and “Buck” Utz; also her sisters: Angela and Frances Utz, Evelyn Utz Pullen, and Marjorie Ann Utz Grizzle.
Life Celebration Service will be 6:30 to 7:30 pm Thursday, April 22, 2021 at Chapel Springs Church, 11500 New Life Way, Bristow, VA 20136. Viewing immediately before service beginning at 5:00 pm. Interment will be private Friday morning at Stonewall Memory Gardens.