Lois Ann Stevens

Lois Ann Innes Stevens passed away on Sunday, November 23rd in Albuquerque, NM at the age of 92 from pneumonia and complications of congestive heart failure. She passed away at home, attended by her son and daughter-in-law. Lois died not long after stating she was "ready to go to heaven!"

Lois was born in the family farmhouse in Snover, MI in 1933 to John Gordon Innes and Clara Ella Gerstenberger Innes. She was one of 4 daughters (sisters Marjorie, Jeanette and Elaine) and 3 sons (Marvin, Lloyal, and Leonard). She played clarinet and bass clarinet in her high school band. She obtained a teaching degree at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI in 1955 and taught middle school grades in Royal Oak, MI before getting married. Lois met her husband Aldred Lyman Stevens at a tent revival meeting where she was singing in the choir. They married in the Presbyterian church in Marlette, MI in July 1956.

Lois taught for many years, first in Michigan and then in New Mexico. She was the family breadwinner while her husband Al intermittently pursued his schooling at Michigan State University. Her son, Craig Aldred Stevens, was born in Albuquerque in 1962, before the family went back to Michigan for Al to earn his PhD. Following this, they returned to Albuquerque, where both Lois and her husband loved the bright Southwestern sun and clear skies. Daughter Michelle Ann Stevens was born in 1970, a February baby like her mother. Perhaps this is where Lois' love of purple came from, since amethyst is the February birthstone.

Al's job took Lois and daughter Michelle to Irvine, California where Lois was delighted to be surrounded by glamorous shopping and plenty of good eating. Much to Lois' dismay, Al's job then took the family to the small and rustic mining town of Grand Junction, CO. Fortunately, Lois was only "exiled" to Colorado for a year, as she referred to it, before they returned to her beloved Albuquerque. Upon their return to Albuquerque, the Stevens family joined Hoffmantown Baptist Church, which became a focus for Lois over the following years.

Once her children were old enough, Lois returned to teaching in Albuquerque Public Schools. She was a substitute teacher for a year before moving up to teach full time at Eubank Elementary. Lois taught full-time for more than 10 years in Albuquerque, but retired at her first opportunity so that she could enjoy more gardening, beading (jewelry-making), and church activities. Lois joined the church choir at Hoffmantown after her teaching retirement, and sang soprano in the choir for 17 years, "making a joyful noise unto the Lord." Lois did all the sorting of the massive sheet music scores for the choir for 15 of those years.

Lois loved cats her whole life. Pet-less for years due her son's allergies and then her daughter taking the family cat after college, Lois finally got a pedigreed ragdoll cat, her beloved Chausettes. "Chaussie" did not turn out to be the lap cat she was touted to be, but Lois loved her fiercely, and enjoyed 17 years of cat fur on her clothing along with the feline companionship. 

Lois had an amazing green thumb and was never happier than when working among her plants. Lois would walk others through her yard pointing out all of the many flowers that she loved. She would say, "this one is my favorite; no, no, THIS one is my favorite!" She always had too many favorites to choose from. She was never happier than when she was puttering around in her yard planting new flowers or starting transplants for friends. Lois held dear her chocolate, her garden, her cat, her church, and her family.

Lois is survived by her son Craig Stevens and wife Nancy; daughter Michelle and husband Arthur Kraut, sister Jeanette Little; brother Leonard Innes, grandson Jeff Stevens with wife Michelle and great-granddaughter Charlotte, and grandson Brad Stevens.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Aldred L. Stevens. A memorial service and reception celebrating Lois's life will be held at French Funerals Wyoming location on Tuesday December 2nd at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Joy Junction or Roadrunner Food Bank, two worthy charities in Albuquerque.