Lois Elese Sizemore
Lois Sizemore, 86, previously of Marietta, OH, died of natural causes at 3:30 AM on September 27, 2016. She had been residing at the home of her son Ritchie Sizemore and his wife Lou in Pottsboro, TX, over the past year.
Lois was born on January 4, 1930, in Weston, WV, to Walter Dallas Martin and Ella Katherine Cutright Martin. She graduated from Glenville State College in Glenville, WV. While at Glenville, Lois met H. Jack Sizemore. They married on October 14, 1950, and were together until his death due to Alzheimer’s on July 1, 2004, almost 54 years later. Their shared life of faith, service, and love was a model for the community and their family.
For many years, Lois lived out her call by serving as church secretary at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Marietta, OH, until finally retiring to care for her ailing husband. Throughout her life she had volunteered with numerous civic and church committees. As she became more involved with aging issues and Alzheimer’s resources, her involvement included fundraising and leading walks for the local Alzheimer’s Association, running support groups for the Area Agency on Aging (once representing them as spokesperson at the Ohio State Legislature), and providing free tax preparation for elderly citizens in the AARP Tax-Aide Assistance Program for several years. She was presented the honor of “2003 Elder Caregiver of the Year” by the state of Ohio for her service to the community.
Lois is survived by her daughter Elese Sizemore (Roy) Barber, son Ritchie (Lou “Poppy”) Sizemore, granddaughter April Sizemore-Barber, grandsons: Jerid (Carisa) Sizemore and their children Jerid and Ashlyn, Gregory (Joanna) Smith and their children Zachary, Mallory, Tenleigh, Johnny “Booter” Smith and children Cooper and Ella; granddaughter Poppy (Jonathan) Crawford and their children Janessa and Shaun, grandson Jeffrey (Joey) Riss and son Nolan, brother Lynn (Mona) Martin and their children and grandchildren, sister Mary Stewart and her children and grandchildren, sister-in-law Jennie Martin and children and grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Sizemore, brother Ralph Martin and her parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday (Oct. 8) at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 401 Scammel St., Marietta, with Pastor Steven Mahaffey officiating where all are welcome to attend. McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County in gratitude to the amazing care and compassion of every person there who made Lois Sizemore’s last days the best possible – allowing her to pass on comfortably in her home surrounded by so many who love her. This non-profit provides free services to needy families who have no medical insurance, and all funds raised go toward this cause. Donations can be made on their website at www.homehospice.org or checks mailed to their office at 505 W. Center, Sherman, TX 75090.