Lois Alberta Gordon Bagwell

To the outsider, Lois Bagwell was a quiet and unassuming woman, a homemaker most of her long life. But to her husband, Chester, and her two sons, Steven and Keith, she was a loving wife and mother who devoted herself to their well-being and happiness.

Lois and Chet were married, happily, for more than 72 years. They formed a team to raise and support their sons, both of whom obtained advanced college degrees and are engaged in successful careers. Evan more important to Lois and Chet, the sons both have enjoyed long and loving marriages of their own.

Lois was born in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1920. She was raised in Tipton, Indiana, where she graduated from high school. She attended Franklin College in Indiana for one year.

She met Chet in 1941 and they married on December 26, 1941, immediately before Chet’s induction into the Army. The couple moved to Phoenix in 1953 because of Lois’ troublesome health problems, with their sons, then aged 5 and 3, in tow.

The family moved into a new home on the near east side in Phoenix in April 1954, and they raised their children as Lois made a warm and convivial home. They remained in the same home until declining health forced them into an assisted-living facility in March 2012.

Lois fell in October 2013, breaking three bones. She rallied for a time, but the damage was too great. She passed away on Sunday, January 19.

Lois’ survivors include husband Chester, sons Steven (Dolly) and Keith (Carolyn Trowbridge), grandchildren Stephanie (Nelson), Bryan (Hope) and Gia, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Lois will be held at noon Thursday, January 23, at Bethany Bible Church, 6060 N. Seventh Ave. in Phoenix. A graveside service for Lois will follow at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 23, at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale.