LOIS M. McRILL entered the portals of Heaven upon leaving this good earth from Cotton Point Living Center when she heard God's call on Sunday, September 4, 2022.

Lois was born October 24, 1935 in Sikeston to her wonderful parents, Arlen and Blanche Moody Miller, who preceded her in death in 1985.

Lois married her beloved husband, Chandos I. McRill on June 1, 1969 and he preceded her in death on June 9, 1991.

Following her husband's death, Lois moved her membership to the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. She was very active there serving on the Administrative Board; as President of Ladies Philathea Sunday School Class; member of the Nurture Committee for 5 years and served as chair of the Nurture Committee for 3 years; assisted Pastors serving Holy Communion; was the recipient of the prestigious award for Outstanding Contribution to Christian Education and Evangelism; charter member of the Circle 3; member of Beyond 2000/Building Committee; served as District Trustee of S.E. District United Methodist Special Task Force for 5 years; member and driver for the Voyager Senior Group whereby she drove the church van to take Seniors on monthly trips to areas of interest in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. During her twelve years of membership in the Sikeston United Methodist Church she transported senior ladies to and from church and served as the church hostess welcoming everyone coming into church service.

In May 2003 Lois accepted the call to become Pastor of the Bertrand United Methodist Church where she served as Pastor until November 2019.  During her work in her church at Bertrand she sang in the choir; taught children's Sunday School; was Youth Group Leader; charter member of United Methodist Women; and was active on the Administrative Board serving as Secretary and Treasurer.

In her earlier years, Lois was cashier/bookkeeper/secretary at the Buckner Ragsdale Store in Sikeston for 38 years and then employed as office manager/ secretary for H.L. Harty Real Estate and Farm Loan Association.  In January 1983 she began employment as the Administrative Assistant for Sikeston Regional Children's Service and the Scott County Juvenile Office until her retirement in August 2005.  Lois worked as a volunteer "Grey Lady' at the Missouri Delta Hospital from 1955 -1969. In 1960, she conducted the first tour group through the new O.B. unit which is now the Senior Lifestyles Unit.

Lois was the leader in keeping her Mother's Family Reunion continuing throughout the past 60 plus years. This reunion was started by Lois' grandfather and his siblings in 1933 with the first meeting at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. Thereafter, regular annual meetings were held consecutively each August.

Surviving are three nephews, Don Miller, Jr. and Charles Lee (Vickie) Miller all of Sikeston and James Trent Joyce of St. Louis; one niece, Caryl Maria Joyce Hairston of Sikeston; several great nephews and great nieces; and many friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Donald R. Miller, Sr.; two sisters, Linda Mae Miller and Margaret Joyce; and her nephew in law, Vic Hairston.

Visitation will be held in the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Paullester Walker, pastor of the Bertrand United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Sikeston Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Moody, Jim Enterline, James (Jim) Mason, Mark Madigan, Chris Stinnett, and Tevis Noles.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dennis Quertermous Sr., Dennis Ray Quertermous, Keith Quertermous, Harold Delk, Jack Patterson, David Naile, and Anthony (Tony) Heckemeyer.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Bertrand Methodist Church, PO Box 258, Bertrand, Missouri 63823 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.