Lois Marie (Barnett) Derrossett was born July 27, 1938, in Dotham, Missouri. She was the youngest of three children born to Bill and Zelma Barnett. Lois attended Wade School, a one-room country school, where her mother was her teacher until the 8th grade. She then attended Tarkio High School, graduating with a Citizenship Award. Upon graduation, she attended a trade school in Omaha, Nebraska. When Lois had completed her education, she was employed with the local telephone company, and then managed the Senior Center in Tarkio, Missouri, for several years.

Lois met Gerry Derrossett on a street corner in Rock Port, Missouri, and said he was the best looking man she had ever seen. It just so happened, her cousin knew him, and four months later, on June 28, 1961, they were married. On May 10, 1962, they welcomed a baby girl, Toni Lynn (Derrossett) Ray, and spoiled her rotten. Two years later on September 3, 1964, they welcomed a baby boy, Todd Darrell Derrossett, who would stay put while Lois chased after Toni, their spit-fire. Four years later, on January 9, 1969, Gerry and Lois welcomed a red-headed sorrel filly (that is horse talk for red-headed little girl), Trudi Ann (Derrossett) Solwold. One year and four days later, on January 13, 1970, the couple welcomed Traci Lea(Derrossett) Cooper, the only blonde in the bunch.

Gerry and Lois made their home in Tarkio, where they lived until 1982. They moved to Mt. Vernon, Washington, then to Sedro Woolley, Washington, seven years later. While in Washington, Lois worked as a receptionist at the Mt. Vernon Beauty School. Her boss, Darrell, referred to her as his executive assistant. That is where they lived when their first grandson was born, Tanton Nicholas Ray, on March 27, 1989. Five and a half years later, on October 29, 1994, their second grandson, Tristan Earl Ray, was born. This is when Gerry and Lois made the decision to return to Missouri. They made their home in Fairfax, Missouri, where they lived to the present time. Lois cared for Tristan until it was time to start kindergarten; he spent a lot of quality time at MeMa and PaPa’s. Four years later, on June 26, 1998, Kolbe Layne Cooper was born. The family waited for him for two weeks, but boy, was he worth it. Four months later, on October 10, 1998, Markus James Derrossett was born. Lois traveled to Washington to help take care of her sweet little red-headed grandson. Seven months later, on May 1, 1999, Hannah Ruth Solwold joined the family.

It was wonderful to have a girl, after all those boys. On November 7, 2001, Kilea Marie Cooper was born, the biggest one of all, with beautiful dark hair. One year and four days later, on November 11, 2002, Kaden Alan Cooper was born, a red-headed little spitfire. What a handful (but not for MeMa)! Last, but not least, on October 21, 2003, Haylea Marie Solwold was born. Just like all her grandchildren, Lois wanted to be there, so she went to Washington to help take care of her newest bundle. The two youngest girls were named after MeMa; what an honor.

All her grandchildren were very special to Lois. She was the most wonderful mother. She loved each and every one of her children in the way they needed to be loved; the same, but different. Anyone who knew Lois loved her. She was the funniest lady anyone knew; Lois had the greatest sense of humor to the end. Her family loved her, and will miss her dearly. No more cancer, no more pain. Lois passed away June 4, 2009 at her home in Fairfax, at the age of 70 years.

Besides her parents and grandparents, Lois was preceded in death by her brother, James William Barnett. She is survived by her husband, Gerry, of their home in Fairfax; daughter, Toni (Derrossett) Ray and her husband, Morris, Fairfax; son, Todd Derrossett and his wife, Melody, Burlington, Washington; daughter, Trudi (Derrossett) Solwold and her husband, Brad, Fairfax; daughter, Traci (Derrossett) Cooper, Fairfax; grandchildren, Tanton and Tristan Ray, Markus Derrossett, Hannah and Haylea Solwold, and Kolbe, Kilea and Kaden Cooper; sister, Sue Zirfas and her husband, Joe; aunt, Grace Long; and many wonderful friends and relatives.

Services: 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at United Methodist Church, Fairfax. Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri.
There is no scheduled family visitation. Open visitation will begin after 9:00 am, Monday, June 8, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Memorials: Lois Derrossett Memorial Fund or Community Hospital – Fairfax.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.