Lois M. Creekmore

Published 4:00 am Tuesday, March 29, 2016

   Services for Lois Marie Massey Creekmore, 90, will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 30, at 2 p.m. with visitation at 1 p.m.  A private burial will be held at the Lynville Cemetery in Kemper County.

    After a short battle with cancer, Lois died peacefully at home on March 26 surrounded by family. Born August 2, 1925 at home in the community of Damascus in Kemper County, Lois was the ninth of ten children born to Hanie Allie Suttles and John Quincy Massey. She was valedictorian of her 1943 Damascus High School class and attended business school in Meridian. Through her brother Harold and his marriage to Mary Lois Creekmore, she met Mary Lois’ brother, Erman Lavelle Creekmore. They later married on October 28, 1944, while Erman was home on a two-week leave from duty onboard the United States Naval ship, the U.S.S. Idaho.

    After moving to Meridian, Lois worked as a bookkeeper at Rose Jewelry then assisted her husband at The Watch Shop inside J.J. Newberry’s store, before his premature death at the age of 44. Later she served as the long-time manager of Lerner Jewelers where she was much admired for her kindness, helpfulness and business acumen. She annually rescued a series of husbands who would inevitably arrive late on Christmas Eve looking for just the right gift for their wives.

    Lois was a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church, faithfully attending church, the Williams Sunday School class and various Bible study groups, and working in the office when needed until her final illness. A voracious reader, her love of reading sustained her over the years. Above all, she loved God, her family and her church.

    Survivors include her four children, Wanda Rankin of Pensacola, FL, Diane (Tom) Goetter of Pensacola, Ouida (Wayne) Drinkwater of Ridgeland, and E.L. Pete (Charlotte) Creekmore of Columbus; eight grandchildren, Kelly McCormick, David (Rebecca) McCormick, Stacy (Ray) Boisvert, Angela Goetter, Jennifer Drinkwater, Woods (Kat) Drinkwater, Jonathan (Ashley) Creekmore, Erin (Tim) Norman; eight great-grandchildren, Dana and Trey Olsen, Conley and Stella McCormick, Jake, Shelby Claire and Caroline Norman, and Emily Creekmore; and two great-great-grandchildren, Lorelei and Alexandra McPherson. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Marie Massey of Okolona, Bonnie Massey of Collinsville, and Hazel Russell of Meridian, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, Lamar, Dalma, John, Marvin, Jack, Harold and R. C. Massey, and by two sisters, Lorena Vick and Ouida Rae Massey.

    Her family remembers her loving kindness and her goal (which she far exceeded) to be the best mother, mother-in-law and grandmother.  Never one to complain, she worked hard all her life, especially after taking on the roles of both mother and father to her four children at the age of 42.  She will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank the kindness of Quality Hospice Care, Inc. nurses, Tiffany Miller and Marla Eubank, and aide Bessie Gale, and her long time doctor, Miyako McCloud.

    Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1004 23rd Ave, Meridian, MS 39301, or to a charity of your choice. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.robertbarhamffh.com.