Born in Griffin, GA, on January 21, 1929 to George and Eugenia Ash, she was one of ten children. Early year’s experiences included The Great Depression and WWII.
Lois became a Christian during a tent revival held on the lakefront in Lake Charles. She joined First Baptist Church Lake Charles where she participated in Sunday School and the choir. She and her sisters sang special music during church services quite frequently. In fact, the whole family was musically inclined and even gave a Sunday evening concert at First Baptist Church. The Reverend Harry McCormick Lintz was pastor at that time.
Lois married her high school sweetheart, Bert Rodrigue. She worked as a telephone operator for Bell South Telephone Company while Bert worked as a barber in his dad’s barbershop. They had four children during their marriage.
Lois and Bert became charter members of University Baptist Church Lake Charles. There she not only was involved with the choir and Sunday School, but was in charge of the Hospitality Committee. She was the “ramrod” of many a church fellowship and banquet.
Lois served as an unpaid administrative assistant to Bert the years he was associated with Barbers Local #542 and when he became Vice President of the International Barbers and Beauticians Union. She was involved with the women’s auxiliary of both entities.
After retirement, Lois and Bert moved to Toledo Bend. They became members of Lakeside Baptist Church.
Four years after her husband’s death in 1997, Lois moved to Moss Bluff, LA to be closer to family. At that time, she became a member at First Baptist Church Moss Bluff. She was active in Sunday School and church activities until health issues caused her to be homebound.
Having lived for 95 years, Lois saw and experienced many major historical events. Highlights would include several wars and conflicts; the space age; the assassinations of a president, a Civil Rights leader, and a US attorney general; the admission of Alaska and Hawaii to statehood; the invention of computers and cellphones; and, much, much more.
General talents, skills, and abilities Lois was blessed with consisted of singing, drawing, painting, gardening, cooking, baking, cleaning, writing, and crafting. Her “spiritual gifts” included hospitality, helps and administration.
Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Eugenia Ash; brothers, Newell, Bobby, Herman, Glen, and Gordon Ash; sisters, AnnaBelle Bailey, and Elaine Marsh; and, a still-born daughter, Dianne Rodrigue.
She is survived by two sisters, Janet Cress, Lynchburg,VA, Margie Dailey, Sulphur, LA; two sons, Michael (Karen) Rodrigue, Mark (Patricia) Rodrigue, both of Moss Bluff, LA; one daughter, Marsha (Jack) Land, Arcadia, LA; six grandchildren, Paul Rodrigue, Dallas, TX, Robin (Kip) Dane, Houston, TX, Eric (Sharla) Rodrigue, Oklahoma City, OK, Devin (Sarah) O’Bryan, Austin, TX, Mara (Kevin) Alexander, Shreveport, LA, Shelby Rodrigue, Dallas, TX; and, two great-grandchildren, Conor O’Bryan and Emmaline O’Bryan, both of Austin, TX.
Funeral services are under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home Lake Charles, LA. Services are scheduled at the Hixson Funeral Home, 3001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Chapel service will be at 1:00 PM followed by a graveside service and interment at Orange Grove/Graceland Cemetery, 2023 East Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA.
The Rev. Michael Rodrigue and the Rev. Bill Saxby will officiate the funeral.
Pallbearers will be Paul Rodrigue, Eric Rodrigue, Kip Dane, Nathan Magner, Keith Green, and Don Ash.
The family would like to express their appreciation to all the staff of Amedisys Hospice Lake Charles for the caring concern expressed while Lois was their patient.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association or a charity of your choice.
