Following a brief stay at the Edgewood Manor Nursing Home, Wellston, Ohio, Lois Jean Elias passed away on June 1, 2013, from Alzheimer’s related complications. She was 81.
For the past 20 years, Lois’ principal residence was Florence Ave. in Jackson, Ohio. She was born in Jackson March 14, 1932, to the late Walden (Wallie) and Helen (Conway) Jenkins and graduated with honors from Jackson High School in 1950. Lois attended college briefly but forgo it to marry Freddie Lee Longfellow and begin a family, raising a son, Jeffrey. After the brief marriage, she soon reunited with her high school sweetheart and Jackson football standout, John Roger (Gomer) Elias. Married in Kentucky, Lois, Roger and Jeffrey relocated to Flat Rock, Michigan where Roger was employed with the DT&I Railroad and resided until Roger’s death in 1984. Born into the family in 1960 was a daughter, Tracey Lynn Elias.
While living in Flat Rock, Lois and Roger were involved for more than 25 years with the American Legion Post, the nationally competitive drill team and the women’s auxiliary, fund-raisers and community service. It was within this Veteran’s group that they enjoyed their closest and lasting friendships. During the children’s high school years Lois was a staunch supporter of their church and marching band activities and for many years served as a teacher’s aide in the Flat Rock School system. A talented oil painter, her home served as the venue for a local painting group for nearly 10 years. After Roger’s death, Lois returned to Jackson. She took an administrative position in the real estate office of Fred Hill and soon obtained her own real estate agent’s license.
She is survived by her son Jeffrey Longfellow of Little Falls, NJ and daughter and son-in-law Tracey and Robert Rossow of Southgate, MI. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Michael and Dana Longfellow of Fairfield, CT and Daniel Rossow of Wyandotte, MI.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the Mayhew-Brown Funeral Home with Pastor Wayne Searls officiating and burial to follow in the Fairmount Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 1 p.m. up to the time of the services. Condolences may be emailed to the family by visiting www.mayhewbrownfuneralhome.com
via Lois Jean Elias, 81 – The Jackson County Times-Journal: Obituaries.