Lois A. Gelona, 79, passed over the bridge into eternity October 30, 2013.


Lois was born in Steens, Mississippi, on September 17, 1934, to Bluford and Eunice Logan. Lois was preceded in death by her parents; and youngest son, Jeffrey Logan Gelona.


After graduating from high school, Lois left Mississippi for Washington D.C. She was employed by the FBI fingerprint division, where she worked prior to meeting and marrying Jack Gelona. Jack and Lois celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2013. In those 60 years, they called Norfolk, Va., Richmond, Va., Louisville, Ky., Cleveland, Ohio, Charlotte, N.C. and Ardmore home.


Her husband, John A. Gelona Jr., her son, John A. Gelona III and his wife, Zina Gelona and her daughter-in-law, Vicki Gelona, survives Lois. Grandchildren, Christina Gelona Hendricks, Carla Gelona Vermillion, Nick Gelona and Joshua Gelona; and her great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Collin Hendricks and Rosalie Vermillion, also survive her.


Lois' greatest job in life was being a wife and mother to Jack, John and Jeff. She was Jack's soul mate and lifelong partner. Jack and Lois worked to teach John and Jeff to have a lifelong faith. As a family, they loved their activities working with church youth groups and playing cards with church friends. Later in life, Lois loved a good game of poker. The Gelona family loved camping and golfing. Lois was an excellent golfer and loved a competitive round of golf. Lois and Jack enjoyed years of traveling and playing golf with friends all over the world.


Lois has served as treasurer of The Brass Ring and manager of the box office for Carousel Productions. She was a member of the Southern Oklahoma Quilters Guild, where she was instrumental in The Quilters Guild providing quilts for all the children that are helped through the efforts of C/SARA and Sara's House. Lois also served as a volunteer at Mercy Hospital Ardmore for 20 years.


Lois was truly an artist with fabric, the sewing machine and creation of quilts. She learned the art of quilting from her mother and spent years saving and using every small piece of fabric to make miniature wall hangings. Everyone in her family has an individually designed piece of quilt art to give them cover and comfort. She loved making quilted holiday wall hangings, clothes, books and crafts.


Lois was a Christian with a great faith and knowledge in God's word. She worshiped at The Family of God Fellowship in Ardmore.


The family will receive visitors from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday at the home of Vicki Gelona, 902 Stanley St., Ardmore.


There will be a private family gathering at the Craddock Funeral Home Columbarium for her inurnment.


The family request that in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made in memory of Lois to Cross Timbers Hospice or Carousel Productions