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From Franci Jarrard:

     This weekend was the annual Spring Fling at my house. I thought of Lois so many times over the weekend. Lois has been a devoted member of our party circuit for the last 7 or 8 years, including being our hostess at the Gin Dig in August. She has always brought an endless number of songs and had boundless energy to play and sing harmonies with everyone.

     She has always been an important part of our Friday night jams, the evening before the party actually begins. This year there was no music on Friday night. We all sat around looking tired and waiting to see who might arrive next. Only Bill Coffman managed to take out his guitar and play a few tunes. If Lois had been there, she would have never let that happen. She would have guilted us into taking our instruments out and warming up a few tunes.

     When I first met Lois she would continuously be there doing nice things for me. I finally confronted her and asked why she insisted on doing so many things for me and she had a very simple answer -- "I like you.". Lois was like that - a loyal and true friend. On the other hand, if she didn't like you or you did something to displease her, she was the first to speak her mind and be frank about your actions. I was always glad to be on her good side.

     Lois was an energetic and caring person. She and Mike had something very special and together they cared for Shawn, Nikki and uncountable number of Pomeranian puppies and other animals. Lois was a very versatile individual involved in many things. At the memorial service I was struck by how many people were there who had been touched by Lois. Our group of musical friends seemed like only a drop in the bucket of friends she had known.

     Lois loved music and animals and she will be missed by many. Even in the last year as her health grew weaker, she continued to burst forth in song whenever she could, sharing her love of music with all around her. Her Demo of Love will now hold even more special memories than ever for all of us who were blessed to receive one..

     Lois, we will all miss you very much.

Photo by Mary Hooper, from the Crawfish archives; courtesy of Ruth Nunez:

Lois and Mike as they arrive at the Crawfish Fest in Edge, 1996.

Lois and Bill Coffman--serious business at the crawfish table. You can be sure it's about music.

From Sue Coffman:

     When my family sees me sitting in front of the computer monitor with tears streaming down my face, they know which website I'm visiting. I've checked this memorial several times since the funeral and each time there are new additions, so now, I guess, its my turn. I'm sure there's a therapeutic value to sitting down and putting feelings into words and that explains why this phenomenon has happened -- thanks Doug for starting the ball rolling. People think of computers as impersonal machines but I think the sharing and caring that's going on here is something special.

     Today I read Lois' mom and sister's writings for the first time. If there is such a thing as an "e-hug" I send then to you both now. As a mother and sister myself I can only imagine the sorrow you feel.

     I got to spend time with Lois a couple of times a year at the different annual music parties. She was always the first one to pick up her guitar and start singing and the last one to give it up. Often the party didn't really get started until she arrived with her 500 Watt smile.

     I couldn't even say anything to Mike the day of the funeral because I thought I would just start crying and even as I write this, the tears start. Because you spent your days with Lois - everyday -yours is the greatest loss.

     My heart goes out to everyone who misses Lois - and this website proves there are a lot of you.

     love - Sue Coffman

These photos from Cindy Thurman:

This is the Insurer Services division of TDI, dressed for Halloween as a casino!

Lois is the only person who could have thought of dressing one of the dogs up as a fuzzy dice!

From Summer Droit

     My girlfriend Caroline McDonald worked with Lois at TDI and that is how I first came to know her, with her wonderful perky spirit she came to my house one day asking me to play for her and then inviting me to Ken Schaffer's "Safety in Numbers" showcase, she always had a positive spin on things that I admired the tremendously, She was not only a fine musician herself but was also one of THE most supportive people that I have ever met when it came to other musicians, she constantly pitched the music of people like myself, Steve Brooks, Turtle Creek, Debbie Yager and the list stretches on, Lois and I performed together at The Common Ground Cafe in Bastrop one Sunday morning for brunch and it was so rewarding to have this magical voice blending so effortlessly with my own, there are few people in this world that I feel are truly angels, and I know that Lois was one and I wish only that I could have expressed that more to her while she was here on this plane, God Bless You Lois and all of your family and friends. Peace till we meet again

Summer Droit

     Lois at Thanksgiving Rehearsal Dinner for the Sunday Main Event, picking out juicy tidbits of Turkeyman's turkey.
Photo bt Deborha Steino

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