Lois Waggoner McMindes 1916-2021
A tribute to
Mom: On Sept. 6, 2021, in the early morning, Lois Waggoner McMindes went to be with the Lord. She was two months short of her 105th birthday. She was looking forward to a family-and-friends reunion in heaven, where husband Gerald (Jerry); parents Grace and Harvey Waggoner; brother Harvey Jr.; her sister Willa Paden; her son, Bill; and son-in-law Joseph M. Anzallo rest, along with many friends.
Lois was born on the Cheyenne- Arapahoe reservation in Oklahoma, just nine years after statehood. Growing up, she became aware of the inequality and prejudice Native Americans suffered. They went to school together and they were all mom’s friends but they were somehow always “apart.” Oklahoma history books never portrayed the situation accurately, which bothered her for the rest of her life.
Growing up in the 1920s, Lois spent her summers at her grandmother’s house in Missouri on the Mississippi River. She remembered the great flood of 1927, when the river was 21 miles wide and her family of five took in a family of seven who had lost their home and all of their belongings.
She contracted malaria on one of those summers.
She was greatly affected by the Great Depression and was very frugal for the rest of her life.
In 1936, Lois married Gerald F. McMindes. They lived in a U.S. Gypsum company town in Southard, Oklahoma. Their friends threw them a chivaree, which is “a noisy mock serenade (made by pans and kettles) to a newly married couple.”
She remembered the Dust Bowl as if it happened yesterday.
She was a faithful member of the Christian church all of her life and spent a major part of it ministering and praying for others. She was a true inspiration with her steadfast faith and love for her fellow man.
As a child, she wanted to be a missionary/nurse in China.
In the 1940s, Jerry took up photography as a hobby and found out about Monument Valley in southern Utah and its awesome beauty. He and Lois began making trips to the Navajo reservation in the valley and the Hopi reservation in Tuba City, and they made friends with people from both tribes and became family. This continued for 40 years. Over her lifetime, Lois shipped over 8 tons of clothing and blankets to them.
In 1962, the greatest joy for Lois and Jerry was the birth of their grandson, Joseph Scott Anzallo, who retired from law enforcement after 31 years.
In 1986, she and Jerry moved to Leisure World, Seal Beach. He died in 1988. Mom continued to travel to Monument Valley (she called it her healing place), and on one of those trips, she met Don Mose, a Navajo educator who has dedicated his life to instilling pride in his people through awakening them to their rich spiritual culture. This friendship grew in mutual love and respect, and as Don’s mother had a short time to live, in a bedside vigil, she placed Don’s hand in mom’s. He is a true gift and has enriched our lives immeasurably.
I (Jarilyn Anzallo, daughter) hope that I have accurately portrayed mom’s heart for service to others as well as her love of mankind. But there was so much more because her life was anything but one dimensional. A few last glimpses into her life, not in any particular order:
• Attended the last Hopi Snake Dance open to non-Natives.
• Traveled to all 50 states except Hawaii.
• Believed in UFOs.
• Always wanted a big pickup truck.
• Always wanted to ride the Goodyear blimp (we tried).
• Made three beautiful wedding dresses for her daughter and nieces.
• Got trapped in Wind Cave in South Dakota (long story).
• Sleep walked, even outside.
• She grew up in Canton, Oklahoma,population over 1,000, and said it was a good thing she grew up in a small town.
• Made close friends while riding elevators. For example, a very nice couple from Northumberland while in London.
Those Lois left behind are her biological daughter, Jarilyn; grandson, Joe, and his wife, Gloria, and her daughter, Jerrica Brindle and her three little ones; nieces Jimee (Jack) Hurst and Glenda (Craig) Griffith, plus many “adopted” children. Among them are Don Mose, her Navajo son; and Linda Benevento, her daughter in Christ, two very special people in Lois’ life. As well as her faithful and loving caregivers, who became family, Consolacion Puso and Kei Ito. We will always be grateful to them and Bristol Hospice-Marivic Tafoya, in particular.
Mom’s last act of service was the donation of her remains to UC Irvine.
When you think of Lois, smile at the next person you see. Mom would love that. - paid obituary
