Lois was born in
Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, and went through school there until
she went to Lockhaven Teachers College, where she studied
elementary education with specialties in speech and dramatics.
She taught three years, and then was accepted by the Woman’s
Division of the Board of Missions to go to the North India United
Provinces, where she worked with women and children. She was sent
to the Ingraham Institute, a center for uplifting the rural
people of the area, "on loan" from the Woman's
Division. She supervised teachers, guided instruction in the
primary classes, and taught in the teacher training department.
On her furlough she obtained an MA in Rural Sociology at Cornell.
On her return to India she was district supervisor of work with
women and children, starting a brides’ school for
nonliterate wives of teachers and preachers., and basic education
classes for teachers in three districts. After the next study
furlough she did district evangelism, until the insistent visits
of Samuel ended in marriage, and made necessary her separation
from the Woman’s Division.Samuel was born in Abohar, Punjab, attended a mission primary school, secondary school at United Christian Schools in Suranussi, Jalandhar, then Baring Union Christian College in Batala., and finally, Leonard Theological College. This all came about because after his first year in college he attended an evangelistic meeting where Rev. Abdul Haqq, a former Muslim, compared the lives and teachings of the founders of the major religions in India. At the end of his sermon, Rev. Haqq said, "No one has given teaching like the teaching of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Truth. When a boy fails in seventh grade and cannot find a job, we say to him, ‘Go, become a preacher.’ We need young men who will finish college and preach Christ."
Samuel felt that the evangelist was speaking to him.. Right there he said to himself that he would finish college and preach Christ. His family was also third generation Christian, since his grandfather’s family had accepted Christ. He became a pastor in the Delhi Conference, and while he was there, he studied in Delhi University, receiving a M.A. in English Literature. Then he married Lois, and after two years of preaching, they came to the U.S. to Asbury Theological Seminary. There he received a ThM and Lois a Masters in Religious Education. Their son Timothy was born. Unfortunately, he was born with hemophilia and died at the age of twenty-eight in 1994.
After two years preaching in the Central Pennsylvania Conference they went to Emory University, where Samuel received a PhD in Biblical Studies and Lois taught n a DeKalb County school, and had another technical job.
They then returned to India, where Samuel taught New Testament at Leonard Theological College and Allahabad Bible Seminary. Meanwhile Loise taught English in Allahabad Bible Institute and taught in the Women’s School at Leonard Theological College.
They returned to the United States and Samuel served in the Central Pennsylvania Conference, while Lois was a pastor’s wife, active in UMW, mission studies, Sunday School, church library promotion, outreach, helping prepare costumes, writing skits, and other activities. Samuel retired in 1996 but preached for three more years. He was active in the local church and has been doing some writing and photography. He is working on a book now, Living Obediently–A Disciple’s Guide. Lois is also writing a book about their son Timothy and how he faced his illness.