Lois Marie Melanson, 85, of Hamshire, died Sunday, September 1, 2013, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. Lois was born on September 28, 1927, in Lufkin, to Julia Francis Murphy and Carson Marvin Murphy, and had been a longtime resident of Hamshire. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Hamshire.

Lois worked for a number of years for Dryden’s in Port Arthur, where she worked with breast cancer patients after mastectomy surgery for prosthesis fittings.  She was not only “Momma” to her children; Lois was their Rock and their best friend. She was “Maw Maw” to the grandchildren and “Granny” to the great-grandchildren; they were the light of her life.

Lois is survived by daughters, Brenda Skinner and her husband, Bill, of Hamshire Darlene Melancon and her husband, Charles, of Hamshire; son, Carson Melanson  and his wife, Renee, of Hamshire; her cousin, who Lois considered her best friend, Betty Russell, of Magnolia; sixteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several other family members and many friends.

Mrs. Melanson was preceded in death by her parents; husband of forty-five years, Louis Melanson; and  son, Leroy Dubose.

A gathering of Mrs. Melanson’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Her graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

Memorial contributions may be made to Firs Baptist Church, 25304 Hwy 124, Hamshire, TX 77622.