Lois M. Leon

Lois M. Leon (Bethel), 93, passed away on July 15, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on November 23, 1928 to George and Sarah (Gray) Bethel in Columbus. After graduating from East High School in 1947, she attended OSU nursing school for a short time.

Lois started her career as an entertainer and dancer of ballet, African and modern dance. She was a regular on the Shellie Spencer & Ol’ Doc Lemon’s TV shows, performed at the Lincoln Ballroom and Club Flamingo, as well as danced with star, Lena Horne. At only 22 years of age, Lois appeared in JET Magazine on April 2, 1953 in an article entitled “Ex Salesgirl Seeks Fame as Dance Star.” She also was featured in the Columbus Citizen Magazine in 1952, “Bells on Her Toes.” After marrying and having her son, she danced locally and worked at Ohio Bell for 34 years, retiring in 1991.

She enjoyed reading, dancing, keeping/studying plants, butterflies, travel, cruising, and going to Vegas to play the slots with her husband. She was also a long-time member of Shiloh Baptist church.

Lois is preceded in death by Emile, her husband of 48 years; sister Carole Pope; brother William Bethel; and sister in law, Gloria (Leon) Lewis.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Emile “Lee” Leon III (Theresa); step-grandchildren, Samantha Flores, Helena Flores, and Trey Flores; brother Charles (Buddy) Bethel; sister-in-law Carol Bethel; nieces Gloria (Dee-Dee) Rooney, Kedada (Thompson), and Knaika Bethel; nephew Dwayne Pope; and many other great nieces, nephews, and a step-great grandson.

Visitation will take place on Friday, July 22, from 4pm-7pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 East Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. Lois’s funeral service will be held at the funeral home the following morning beginning at 11am. Fr. Denis Kigozi, celebrant.

Flowers can be sent to the funeral home or donations made to the nonprofit ‘The SOAP Project’ (Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution) can be sent to PO Box 645 Worthington OH 43085.