Lois Mary DeRaps

BENTON – Lois Mary DeRaps, of Benton, 84 passed away peacefully at Lakewood Nursing Home in Waterville on Sept. 3, 2023, after a brief trip down memory lane that day spoken to her by her much beloved grandson Kevin Miller less than three hours before her passing.

Lois was born on Nov. 11, 1938, in Benton, Maine, to Albert and Ruth Thompson. She enlisted in the Navy after graduating high school. Thereafter, she worked various jobs over the years such as at Mardens, James Julia Auctions in Fairfield, Unit Secretary at Thayer Hospital, banquet staff at the former Holiday Inn in Waterville, event staff for Colby College in Waterville, the L.L. Bean Call center in Waterville, and selling and leasing real estate with Rodrigue Reality. She was also one of the first female trick drivers in the country. Since 1999, she spent her final working years at Affiliated Realty / Perkins Leasing & Management, where she sold residential real estate and managed and rented many local properties in the Greater Waterville area. A few years back, Lois retired from selling real estate but she continued her property management work and finished her working career until just three days prior to her illness forced her into the hospital and into retirement. She always said she would go crazy being home alone and not working so she fulfilled her goal of working until her health no longer permitted her to work.

She enjoyed staying busy throughout life by also being involved with the Waterville Stamp Club, the Benton Grange Hall, was a Past President of the VFWA in Winslow, and served on the Supervisory Committee at Keyes Fibre Credit Union now known as KSW FCU. She loved to go to postcard and antique shows to buy and sell her collection. She enjoyed going on road trips to various places like her Camp on Messalonskee Lake in Oakland, the Bangor and Portland Malls and camping on Moosehead Lake with her husband Leo. Up until the last few years she even rode her own Harley Davison motorcycle. She also enjoyed going out to eat nearly every meal as she always said “I can’t make it any cheaper at home”. Her favorite dining establishments were Governors, The Villager, Youngs Lobster Pound, and the Manor when it was open in Waterville. Lois was a devoted Catholic. She attended Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours, 116 Silver St, Waterville Maine.

Lois would always say she’s “a tough ol’ lady” and many other classic one liners and boy she meant it. She didn’t take ANYONE’S nonsense. She also had a low tolerance for others nonsense, and she wouldn’t be afraid to tell you that to your face or speak it out loud. You never had to guess where you stood with her. You could be a good friend or not, and that choice was yours. The flip side was she would often do anything for anyone including paying for a stranger’s meal, offering her grandson and his friends a safe

ride home from school or elsewhere anytime they wanted it and she would say “all you have to do is call”. At Perkins Leasing & Management, she would go out of her way to buy many types of candy to put out at the front counter for the mailmen, tenants coming in, and others to enjoy on a daily basis. She also was very much valued by Gregg Perkins, the owner, as daily she would ask him if there was anything she could do to help and ease his work load. Additionally, Lois’ “adopted” son Richard wanted all to know: Lois -Mom- raised me and took care of me not because she was expected or obligated to but because she cared about me and loved me and I felt that my entire life and I truly believe that I have had a happy and wonderful life because of the person she was.

Thank You Lois – Mom – for being the woman that you were and for being there for me.”

Lois was predeceased by her parents Albert and Ruth Thompson of Benton, and her beloved husband Leo S. DeRaps of Benton.

Lois is survived by her brother Arthur Thompson of Benton, her son Richard Revels and his wife Becky of North Carolina, grandchildren Christy and Nicole. Her husband Leo’s two daughters Brenda and her husband Rusty Bates of Clinton and Jill and her husband Don Goodwin of Patterson Louisiana, and her grandson Kevin Seth Miller of Waterville who she loved dearly (her “munchkin”) and who she was so happy to have had the chance to work with him in property management these last couple of years.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m., at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St, Fairfield, Maine.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours, 116 Silver St., Waterville Maine.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Maine St, Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.