Lois Oliver

Services are scheduled for 10 am Thursday, June 5, at Harvest Fellowship for Lois Marie Oliver of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Oliver, 89, died on May 31, 2025 at her home in Artesia.

Lois was born on December 13, 1935 in Newport, Texas; the daughter of James Leroy Gifford and Gracie Aline McCarter Gifford.

Lois spent most of her growing up years in Bowie, Texas in a large family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her dad followed work in the oilfield that took the family to lots of places during her and her sister's growing up years. Lois met people and made friends easily and little did she know then that those travels and having to make new friends would help her in her career choices later in life. Lois graduated in Poplar Montana in 1954. She had met her husband James while in Bowie, Texas and he did not let her get away. Lois and James married on December 18, 1953 in Poplar Montana. The came to Artesia in 1954 on a trip to visit family and visit Carlsbad Caverns and they never left. James began and career in the oil fields of Artesia and they started their family. Theresa was born in 1956, and Cynthia was born in 1959. Lois was a person that was involved with her family, her church, and her community. One of her early jobs was driving a school bus for APS. She later worked for the Artesia Public Library as a children's librarian. Her curiosity for things, encouragement from a real estate broker and her entrepreneurial spirit led her to get her real estate license in the late 1960's. She worked for Bob Ferguson Insurance as a real estate agent for a few years before branching out on her own. With Jame's encouragement Lois began Lois Oliver Real Estate at its first location at 801 W. Main in the 1980's. Lois convinced her daughter Theresa to join her in 1987 and Lois Oliver Real Estate continues to service Artesia and the surrounding area at its present location at 210 S. Roselawn.

Lois was involved in her church Trinity Temple Assembly of God for many years and taught Sunday school and worked with the youth. Lois was on the Artesia Board of Realtors and served in all capacities throughout her real estate career. Lois was a past member of Altrusa, served with the Trailblazers and enjoyed all of their travels, and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce serving as the chamber board president from 1992-1993. She was one of the founding board members of Artesia Main Street and enjoyed telling stories of visiting the foundry's and seeing first hand where the statues around Artesia that we all enjoy today were designed and poured.

Lois lost her husband James in 1989 and spent the next years working and enjoying her family. She met and married Bill Colwell in November of 2002 and they enjoyed traveling and remodeling homes until Bill passed away in 2008.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her sister Gwen and her brother-in-law Bill.

Lois is survived by her children Theresa Baize (husband Tim), Cynthia Wallace, Caleen Williams (husband Curtis), her grandchildren that she loved dearly, Brian Baize, Joshua Wallace, Whitney Baize, and Jacqueline Wallace and her great-grandchildren Zane Baize, Dailyn Wallace, Sophia Thompson, Kinslee Thompson, and Beaux Baize.