Lois French

Lois F. French was reunited with her Savior and her adoring husband on Nov. 1, 2010, completing a wonderful, happy life dedicated solely to God and her family.

She was born Sept. 26, 1923, in Huntington, W.Va., to the Rev. Roy Gainer and Verchea Grass Ellis. She was one of seven children. She was preceded in death by many loved ones, including her loving husband of 50 years, the Rev. James Hager French, at whose side she stood as they traveled to churches spreading God's word. Together they were instrumental in building six churches in the Tri-State area, including Raccoon Creek in Greenup County, Ky., Mavity Freewill Baptist in Boyd County, Ky., Rockdale Freewill Baptist in Boyd County, Ky., Charity Freewill Baptist in Kenova, W.Va., Big Branch Freewill Baptist in Chesapeake, Ohio, and Mount Zion Freewill Baptist in Catlettsburg, Ky. They touched many, many lives and made many, many friends.

She is survived by a son, Roy F. (Cathy) French of Catlettsburg; and a daughter, Angela G. (Michael) Hedrick of Catlettsburg. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brian (Andrea) French of Georgetown, Ky., Amy (Clinton) Smith of Greenup, Ky., Ashlee (Dusty) Childers of Catlettsburg, Ky., and Michael Colt Hedrick, also of Catlettsburg; a sister-in-law, June Ellis of Huntington, W.Va., with a special thanks to caretaker Ann Akers. She leaves her family heartbroken, yet grateful to have been a part of this wonderful woman's life. She will be forever missed, eternally loved and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, at Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home on Panola Street in Catlettsburg. Pastor Billy Ray Harris and Pastor Chuck McCormick will offer a message of hope and inspiration. Final rest will be in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens in Ashland.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.