Lois Ann Davidson Newby Brown

Lois Ann Davidson Newby Brown left this world to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Oct.19, at 5:30 a.m. in Ronan at the age of 86. She was born Dec. 18, 1929 in Hughes, Okla., to Louis “Buster” and Verda (Allison) Davidson, the second of four children. She was raised in Oklahoma during the Great Depression with her two sisters and little brother, plus two sisters from her father’s second marriage. Lois married Ray Newby in 1946 and they soon relocated to California pursuing better opportunities for their young family. Not long after they met Les and Bernice Slater from Montana, they decided to relocate again and never looked back. 

Lois regularly attended church services and community dances. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, traveling and a good game of cribbage. She was an avid reader of The Bible and thoughtfully studied it with many different groups of people over the years. She sang in the Little Brown Church Choir and taught the children’s Sunday school. Lois participated in various trades and professions over the years from waiting on patrons at the Hacienda in Kalispell to selling furniture at Total Home in Ronan, but her favorite job title was most definitely always mother. She encouraged her children to pursue a personal relationship with God, higher education, musical expression and to follow their dreams.

Lois married Robert Brown in 1966 and they welcomed the last of her seven children in 1967. They had homes in Billings, Missoula, Arlee and Blue Bay over the years. Her children, grandchildren and family meant the world to her; many cases of “cabin fever” were avoided by her clever invention of the February picnic. Lois possessed a keen fashion sense, quick wit, youthful innocence and an oft hidden sense of humor. She was an accomplished cook and homemaker, with many Sunday dinners and holiday feasts to be remembered. Her fondness for sweets was well known to those who loved her and often resulted in special treats such as chocolate gravy and biscuits, snow ice cream or popcorn caramel sundaes. She will be sweetly and sorely missed.

Preceded in death by her Father and Mother, sisters Doris Lee, Carrol Jean and Sharon, and first husband Ray Newby. She is survived by her brother, Louis Davidson, sister Diane, her second husband Robert Brown, her seven treasures: Denny, Joye, Rick, Bruce, Tamara, Melissa and Yolanda, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, Oct. 29, in Bigfork at the Little Brown Church. Funeral and burial services were followed by a reception. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. To send a note of condolence to the family please visit www.buffalohillfh.com.