Lois Campbell

Lois Dotson Campbell of Alexandria passed away peacefully on the early morning of September 11, 2022 at her home of 49 years. She was 80 years old. After a long battle with breast cancer, she spent her final days surrounded by her daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren. Lois was born on July 3, 1942 in Millstone, Kentucky to Ernest Ulysses and Lillian (Slaughter) Dotson.

Lois spent the first 12 years of her life in Pound, Virginia and then moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 1954. She was in one of the first graduating classes of Annandale High School. After graduating, she studied at Dolley Madison University which was later renamed James Madison University. Lois worked as a secretary as well as a stenographer in her time after college, She commuted to work daily on her neighborhood bus. On one fateful day, she noticed a handsome man sitting across from her. After many trips to the Pentagon together, and a little flirting back and forth, they began dating.

On May 2, 1964 Lois married her handsome bus companion, Ensign Leonard Grove Campbell of Amherst County, Virginia. Together, they moved to San Diego, California for three years with the United States Navy. In 1967, they returned to the Northern Virginia area, settling in Springfield first. A year later they welcomed their first daughter, Lisa. In 1973, they took a risk and had a house built in Alexandria and a year later, daughter Kristin rounded out their family. It was in this house that they remained for the rest of their lives.

Lois was multitalented and could do just about anything. She spent much of her time sewing, crafting, and reading. She loved to cross stitch, quilt, make clothes, reupholster furniture, paint, draw, and even woodwork. If she didn’t know how to do something, she taught herself. Lois spent countless hours volunteering within Alexandria schools, while focusing on raising her daughters.  An avid reader, she enjoyed a monthly book club with her neighbor friends, many of which she had known for close to 40 years.

Lois had a great interest in both family and history. One of Lois’ greatest passions was genealogy. She spent countless hours in Virginia libraries pouring over microfilm discovering her family’s past- completing both extensive and impressive family tree research prior to widespread internet access and other modern conveniences. She filled volume after volume of notebooks with clues to her family’s past and was successfully able to trace her roots as far back as the 1600’s.

Lois loved her family dearly, especially her three grandchildren. She was thrilled to have both her daughters living close and cherished hosting weekly family dinners and watching the kids swim in the backyard pool every summer. Lois loved traveling, particularly cruising, and taking trips with the family even after the girls were grown.

Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Lenny, as well as her parents, and five of her siblings; Ina Smith, Phyllis Dietz, Anita Shelton, Grant Dotson and John Dotson. She is survived by two devoted daughters, Lisa Ann Campbell of Alexandria and Kristin Campbell Baldwin of Springfield, her son in law, Matthew Baldwin, 3 wonderful grandchildren, Charles, Lilly, and Nate as well as her sister Patricia Stunkard of Palm Coast, Florida.

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