Lois Avery

Eloyce “Lois” Jane Cleaver Avery passed away on September 6, 2021, she was 83 years old. Her final days were spent surrounded with the love and support of her family she loved so much. Her life may have been cut short, but she touched the hearts of many while she was with us.

Lois was born on November 14, 1937 in Joplin, Missouri to the parents Alfred and Virle Cleaver. She was the only daughter following the births of three brothers – Alfred, Donald, and Richard. Lois would marry Albert James Richardson in 1953 then move to California and have a daughter Rebecca. They would later venture to Alaska together – it was her first airplane ride. Though that marriage wouldn’t last as she had hoped, she eventually went to work as a cook at the Anchorage local restaurant Lucky Wishbone famous for their fried chicken. She was famous in the family for her own dish – chicken and homemade noodles. Family would often take payment for work performed in the form of a meal of chicken and homemade noodles. And there was a contest or two to see who could eat the most. Her love of cooking would be handed down to her daughter and granddaughters.

She eventually would go on to remarry in 1982 to Gene Avery. He had two sons and a daughter from a previous marriage – Kristen, Mark, and Chad. Their bond was no different than if they’d been related by blood. They traveled extensively living in rural and urban Alaska, Nevada, and Idaho. She had a second career as a health care professional and excelled at that receiving the 1998 Alzheimer’s Hero of the year award for Care and Compassion for working with patients.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, beloved husband, Gene and son Mark.

She is survived by her daughters Rebecca (Starry) and Kristen (Fuller) and son Chad as well as 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Lois will be laid to rest at Osborne Cemetery in Joplin, Missouri. In keeping with her wishes, she has asked that there be no services. Should friends desire, memorial contributions in her name may be made to either of the following charities: American Lung Association (action.lung.org) or Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska (alzalaska.org).

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