Lois L Watkins

Lois Loretta Jones-Gardner-Watkins born on February 22, 1935 in Chelsea, Oklahoma to Vina and Spokane Jones. As the oldest of 6 children, she was affectionately nicknamed “Big Sis”. Growing up in the “country” Big Sis had pigs as pets. She still remembers when her daddy killed her pet pig. She cried for days but they ate “good”.

But neither the country nor Oklahoma could hold her. During her 83 years she has lived in several cities, from New York (the Bronx), Council Bluff, Denver, Dallas, Wichita, Omaha, Tulsa and Kansas City.

She also has visited a few exciting places such as: The Holy Land, Mississippi, St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Her life was full.

She quenched her thirst for knowledge by attending Wichita Area Vocational College for Horticulture; and Wichita State University.

She loved horticulture (her plants) If she was anywhere for any amount of time, she was growing something. She loved clapping her hands and stomping her feet, usually off beat to Gospel music. She really like listening to Al Green. Big Sis was also a great cook. She loved the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Time were her favorite, because she got to make enormous meals for her family and friends.

She is survived by her children; Sons: Lance Gardner, Wichita; Larry (Connie) Gardner, Tulsa; and Mark Watkins, Kansas City; Daughters: Videena Gardner, Tulsa; Angel (Earl) Stephens, Wichita; Geri Watkins, Overland Park; Catherine Watkins, Wichita; and Dianna (Joe) Baker Shawnee; 14 devoted grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. 1 sister, Johnnie Mae Simmons, Tulsa, and 2 brothers. Samuel Jones, Wichita and Kenny Jones, Denver. Many nieces, nephews, family and friends

She was greeted at Heaven’s gates by her son, William Gardner and a great grandson, Adrian (AJ) Gardner. 2 brothers, Tony Simmons, and Denty Jones and 1 sister Geraldine Jones.