Lois J. Hawley was born on Monday, November 26, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the daughter of William Carter and Florence Retta (Davis) Barkley. Lois was a lifelong Franklin County, Kansas resident, making her home in Ottawa until her death on Monday, November 12, 2012, at the age of eighty-three years.

Lois attended Williamsburg schools through the eleventh grade and graduated from Appanoose High School with the class of 1946; finished nurse's aide training in 1970 and was certified as a Medical Aide in late 1970.

Immediately following her graduation Lois was united in marriage with Alvin "Bud" Houston on Sunday, May 19, 1946, in Olathe, Kansas. They enjoyed nearly fifty-seven years together before he preceded her in death on April 26, 2003. From their marriage they had five children; three sons, Alvin Francis Houston, Jr. and wife Ann of Williamsburg, Marion William Houston of Ottawa, and Edward Lee Houston of Chicago, Illinois; two daughters, Elizabeth "Joy" Foushee and her husband, Eddie of Ottawa, and Deborah Sue Curtis and her husband, Jeff of Chanute; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren; also surviving is one brother, William "Bob" Robert Barkley of Pomona. Lois later married Allen Hawley on April 9, 2004. He preceded her in death on December 24, 2006, after twenty short months together. Also preceding Lois in death are her 1st husband, Bud Houston; 2nd husband, Allen Hawley; great-grandson, Antonio Nathaniel Correa; parents, W.C. & Florence Barkley; infant sister, Judith Ann Barkley and sister, Sharon Kay Baer.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother devoting much of her time to her grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren and was loved and respected by all. Her family was her greatest joy. Her interests included gardening, raising flowers, fruits and vegetables, and she also liked to do carpentry work and wallpapering.

Lois worked three years as a pie baker and cook at the L&L Café in Ottawa, five years at Brookside Manor Nursing Home in Overbrook, and sixteen years along with her 1st husband for USD 497 in Lawrence as custodian, retiring in 1994. After her retirement, she worked as a caregiver. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Ottawa.

She will be dearly missed by her family and many dear friends.

SERVICES: Memorial Service will be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 17, 21012. Cremation is planned.

VISITATION: The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, November 16, 2012 at Dengel & Son Mortuary.

CEMETERY: Inurnment Dean Cemetery.

MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation or Vitas Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.