Lois Nell Marks

Lois Nell Marks, 70, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on August 4, 2021 from complications of kidney disease. Lois was born in Herrin, Illinois on August 14, 1950 to parents Arlie Rex and Marthalee Murphy.

Lois was raised with her younger sister Lee Ann in Herrin, Illinois and she often spoke of her cherished childhood memories with her close-knit family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Herrin and a 1968 graduate of Herrin High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University and was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. She graduated with a B.S. in Education in 1971. While at EIU, Lois made lifelong friendships and met her future husband Jack (John Robert) Marks. He was the love of Lois’s life and they were married on June 10, 1972. After their marriage, Lois and Jack began their new life in Mt. Vernon, Illinois where Lois taught high school. They had many moves throughout the years and enjoyed their time living in and exploring different cities. They moved to Belleville, Illinois in 1973 where Jack worked for McKendree College and Lois was employed as a Management Analyst with the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1976, they moved to Pikeville, Kentucky when Jack accepted a job at Pikeville College and Lois later was employed in the Social Security Administration. She earned her masters degree in history from Morehead State University during this time. In 1977, the Big Sandy River that flowed through Pikeville flooded and Lois and Jack lost all their belongings. Later in 1977, Lois and Jack moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia when Jack began working with Salem College and Lois worked for Salem College’s Head Start Program.

In 1980, they moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where Jack worked for LaRoche College and Lois returned to the Army Corps of Engineers as a Management Analyst. In 1982, they moved to Columbus, Ohio when Jack took a job with The Ohio State University. In 1983, they moved to Tempe, Arizona where Jack assumed the leadership role for Arizona State University’s first capital campaign. Soon after, Lois assumed the role of COO of Easter Mining.

In 1987, they moved to Hayward, California where Jack worked for the Greenwood Consulting Company and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. During this period, Lois consulted for Easter Mining and later assisted Jack’s mother with caregiving for Jack’s father in Phoenix.

In 1989, Jack and Lois returned to Phoenix. In 1991, they formed Marks Distributing, a wholesale distributorship of specialty beverages. They closed the business in 1996 and Lois began working as a program auditor with the Arizona State Auditor General’s Office. Jack returned to lead fund raising programs at local nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and St. Mary’s Food Bank.

Lois and Jack have lived in the same house since their return to Phoenix. Lois enjoyed her time in their home. She had a passion for cooking and took great pride in her extensive collection of cookbooks. Lois was an active member of the Church of the Beatitudes.

By 1994, Lois’s parents and her sister and family also moved to Phoenix. Lois loved having her family and Jack’s family near her. She enjoyed being together, cooking family dinners, going on family outings, celebrating special occasions and delighting in time spent with her niece and nephew. Lois spent several years caregiving for her parents before they passed away.

Lois will be remembered for her caring heart, her generous nature, her quick wit, her strength of character and her deep Christian faith.

Lois is survived by her husband Jack, sister Lee Ann Fozzard (Randy), brother-in-law Russ Marks, nephew Rex Fozzard, niece Lois Ann Babis (Alex) and grandniece Marissa Anne Fozzard.

A service will be scheduled at a later date. A gift to your favorite charity in Lois’s name is an excellent way to honor her memory.