Lois M. Britain

Lois M. Wright Britain was the youngest of 12 children born to the Rev. O. L and Elva Hinshaw Wright on November 4th, 1940, at the Yuma General Hospital on Ave B. She joined her heavenly family on April 5th, 2016.

Lois is survived by William (Bill) Britain, her husband of 58 years. Also surviving are sons Billy (Deborah) Britain of Yuma, and Mike (Jolonda) Britain of Stephenville, Texas. Grandchildren include Ashley (Jesse) Van Marrion, Heather (Ryan) Spalding, Jared (Heidi) Britain, Cheyenne Britain and Chance Britain. Great grandchildren include Montana and Meadow Van Marrion, Orren and Cooper Spalding and two more great- grandchildren will be born soon. Sister Velma Wright Townsend of Yuma and Brother- in-Law Tom Drysdale of Yuma along with many nieces and nephews. Lois is preceded in death by her parents O.L and Elva Wright; brothers Orville, Herschel, Kenneth, Lawrence, Glen, Delbert, sibling twins Meryl and Pearl Wright and sisters Joyce Redfern and Thelma Drysdale.

Lois attended Bard schools and Yuma grammar schools and graduated from Yuma High School in 1958. In high school she was active in Future Homemakers of America and attended Girl's State.

When Lois and Bill married, they were both working outside jobs. They were encouraged by Frosty Braden to go into the custom hay business. Lois started out driving tractors and raking hay. Soon she became the senior hay operator and then graduated to a roadsider. At one point she was asked to compete in the Women's National Roadsider Competition, but she was too busy working to worry about a competition. As their farming operation grew, Lois would also be seen operating combines and other farm equipment. Through all this she was also busy being a wife, mother, bookkeeper, and community volunteer.

In the mid-80's Lois became a trustee with the Foundation of YRMC. She and Bill started the Western Dance and BBQ; for many years it was held at their farm shop. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for the hospital. Because of their commitment and involvement in the Yuma community, Lois and Bill were named the Yuma County Citizens of the year in 1988.

In recent years, Lois and Bill have enjoyed alternating their time between Yuma and Lakeside, AZ and traveling to visit their grandchildren.

Viewing will be at Johnson's Mortuary on Tuesday evening, April 12 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Britain Farms, 4330 W. Riverside Drive, Yuma on Wednesday, April 13 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crossroads Mission on Hospice of Yuma.

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park, Yuma, AZ.