Lois Ann Rayl

Lois Rayl, 79, of Coleman, was surrounded by her family as she entered Heaven on Thursday, February 16, 2012. Her fourth bout of cancer proved to be her last, although she has found her Victory in Jesus.
Lois was an inspiration to those who knew her. While her life was not always easy, she always put others first. She always said she should write a book about her life, as she had many unique experiences. As a young bride, her hands picked cotton in the south to help support her family. Those same hands later played the piano and the accordion, often entertaining family and friends through her love of music. Most recently, from her bed at Stratford Village, those hands comforted her youngest granddaughter, Emily. The story of her life on this earth ended with her only son, Dale, holding her hand, but she leaves many memories behind with loved ones, who will always cherish the time they had with her.
Lois was born in Midland on June 22, 1932 and was the eldest of eight children. She attended Midland schools. On October 14, 1967, she married George Rayl and they shared a love of music and dancing. She was retired from the Midland Hospital, where many of her coworkers became lifelong friends. While she grieved deeply after George's passing in 2007, she also came to know a fierce independence and she demonstrated a strength that amazed her family and friends during the last years of her life, as she developed deep new relationships, found a new church home, and ultimately fought against the cancer that took her life.
Lois was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sanford, where she served selflessly. Her strength came from her faith.
She is survived by her four children, Dale (DeAnna) Rogers, of Dexter, Missouri; Dixie (Dan) Ponder, of Fruitport, Michigan; Denise (Robert) Hall of Lake City, Michigan; and Cathy (Dean) Mapes, of Midland; a stepdaughter, Edna (Jeff) Miller, of Carson City; sixteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers, Robert (Carrie) Parsons, Mike Parsons, and John (Prema) Parsons; sisters Betty (Gus) Arbuckle and Pat McQuarter. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and special friends, including her pastor and friend, Roger Saltee of Sanford. Lois was predeceased by her parents, Glenn and Grace (Conklin) Parsons; a daughter, Doris Rogers; brother, Fred Parsons; and sister, Barbara Frank.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, February 20, 2012 from the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home, with Pastor Roger Saltee officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be offered to the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund or the Midland County Cancer Services. James 1:2-3: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Mom's final teaching to her children, grandchildren and friends was to suffer with grace, dignity and love for others. May she rest in peace.