Lois Virginia (Harris) Gross was born January 11, 1934 in Sunnyside, Wagoner County, Oklahoma to James Bennie and Myrtle Marie (Hagen) Harris. The family moved to the Rocky Point area near Wagoner in 1940, and Lois made Wagoner her home her whole life until the last few years when she made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Gordon Fish in Tulsa.

She was employed for a time at Superior Mattress. Later she worked as a glass packer for Ford Glass before retiring. Lois also worked overseeing the seamstresses for Bryan's Infant Wear. Her family remembers what a wonderful seamstress she was and how she would make their clothes much of the time. Lois and her two sisters learned to sew from their mother.

She was a foster mother to more than forty children, ranging in age from infants to teenagers. Lois's children fondly remember these times and how hard their mother worked. She was busy all the time. She loved remodeling houses and liked to square dance and play cards.

Lois departed this life Thursday morning, November 11, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 87 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Myrtle Harris; her husband, Eldridge "Dick" Gross and one sister, Barbara Chappell.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Eldridge Lee "Dickie" Gross of Wagoner, Oklahoma, James Stanley Gross and wife, Mary Ann of Wagoner, Oklahoma and Beverly Fish and husband, Gordon of Tulsa, Oklahoma; foster daughters Tina Wallace and Dolly Christian; grandchildren, Lester Lee Gross, Rebecca Sue Gross, Chad Gross, Monica Langley, Cindy Harris, Stephany Hinton, Nancy Tatum, Laura Downey and Miranda Propst; numerous great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren. She was "Meme" to all. She also leaves her sister, Joyce Ann Bays of Wagoner, Oklahoma; other extended family and friends.

The funeral service to celebrate her life will be at 2 pm Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at the Chapel at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner. Officiating will be the Rev. Wesley Graver.

Viewing will be Monday from 9 am - 7 pm.