Ila Grace Lofties

Ila Grace (Hall) Lofties longtime resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma went to be her Lord and Savior on August 11, 2021. Grace was born December 6, 1929, in Asher, Oklahoma to Ruben Oscar and Ila Mae (Ward) Swanner. She attended school in Asher, Oklahoma before moving at the age of 13 to Shawnee, Oklahoma where she attended Shawnee Public Schools. In August 1948, she and Dewey Murel Hall were united in marriage and to this union were born two children; Murel Dewrell and Lana Sue. After the death of her husband, she later married Cecil Lofties.

Grace was an avid bowler and was on many bowling leagues traveling to nationals. She developed an interest in golfing as well and enjoyed it almost as much as she did bowling. In her early years she was a stay at home mom and was an extremely talented seamstress. She made most of her son’s shirts and daughter’s dresses, slacks and blouses. In 1966, she began her career with J.C. Penney’s on Main Street Shawnee, Oklahoma doing alterations and draperies. After Penney’s closed that department, she was over the sales floor. When Penney’s moved to the Mall, she set her department up and in 1991 she retired taking care of her husband Cecil.

Grace is survived by her children Murel Dewrell Hall and wife Toni of Midwest City, Oklahoma; Lana Sue Fry of Frederick, Oklahoma. One sister, Dorris loren Finkleman of Lodi, California, four grandchildren, CeCilia Dawn Smart and husband Roger of Ingleside, Texas, Jason Lynn Taylor of Mason, Tennessee, Grace Marie Hall of Lewisville, Texas and Anjelica Loree Smith and her husband Drew of San Diego, California, great-grandchildren, Meakoda Joseph Wilson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lana Shea Taylor of Dresden, Tennessee, Avery Nicole Smith of San Diego, California, numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ruben and Ila Swanner, her siblings, Oscar Calvin Swanner, John Acie Swanner, James Wade Swanner, Donald Ray Swanner, C.S. Swanner, Dorothy Marie Rivera, Betty Jo Killgore; and two great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Dawn Taylor and KayLynn Ranaie Taylor.