Lois Dorothy Gifford

Lois Dorothy Gifford, 85, has passed to join her husband, Francis R. Gifford, in Heaven who passed before her in 1993. Lois had said on more than one occasion that all she ever wanted to do in life was to make people happy. She more than accomplished this objective throughout her life. Her life and home was a constant hub for her family and friends that came to visit with her. This was a source of enjoyment in her life. Of the more unique things she had done in her past, that not all knew, was that during WWII she worked for the war effort doing welding and copper plating. On VE day (Victory in Europe) she danced in the streets of Bakersfield; even though she had smashed her toe flat in the factory that same day. During the 60's and 70's she rode motorcycles with her husband in full leathers. One of her first jobs was working for a dress store in East Bakersfield. She grew up on a ranch (farm) in the Edison area and did all that entailed for a ranch life of livestock and harvesting. She also worked for Memorial Hospital as a Nurse's Aide and then as a Unit Secretary. She and her husband also managed, for over five decades, apartments that they owned. But her foremost achievement was that she raised her family in the church and she believed deeply in God and is now with her Lord. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Ronald Gifford and his wife Andrea, Carol Shellhammer and her husband Stephen, Carl Gifford and his wife Linda, and her grandchildren and their spouses Johnathan Gifford and his wife Tabitha, Kristine Peterson and her husband Calvin, Erik Gifford and his wife Crystal, Michael Gifford, Lori Gifford, Nicole Shellhammer, and Matthew Shellhammer, and her great grandchildren Gabriel Gifford, Benjamin Gifford, Carson Peterson, Chloe Gifford, Taylor McSperitt, Rebecca Gifford, Jenna McSperitt, and Liberty Gifford. Lois and the family appreciated all the prayers for her and believe these prayers were answered by making her passing easier and granting her wish to join her husband in heaven. She enjoyed life and her family up through her last few days. She was dearly loved by her family and close friends and will be dearly missed. We, the family of Lois, especially want to thank Hoffmann Hospice and their staff for their care and compassion in this process. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, at Hillcrest Mortuary with a funeral service Thursday, September 22, at Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. Interment to follow. Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary

Arrangements under the direction of Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, Bakersfield, CA.