On Friday, November 13, 2020, our beloved Lois Ann passed away at the age of 83. Lois was born February 19, 1937 in Turtle Creek, PA to Gerald and Alice (Chapman) Stewart. She graduated from Turtle Creek High School in 1955 and went to work for US Steel in Pittsburgh. She then married the first love of her life, Donald Lee Gardner, on October 12, 1957. After spending a few years in Virginia, they moved to Whitewood Lake in Pinckney, where she enjoyed lake living and developed many skills: water skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and motorcycling.
Lois was active in her community as a Brownie leader, member of the Order of Eastern Star, and served as Mother Advisor to Pinckney chapter of Rainbow Girls. She had a long career, spanning 35 years, starting with administrative assistant to the superintendent of Pinckney High School. She transferred to the US Government - VA Hospital, Ann Arbor as administrative assistant to the Chief of Staff, and later transferred to the Environmental Protection Agency, from where Lois retired in 1995.
After the loss of her first husband in 1987, Lois was blessed to find love again. She married Jerrold Bivins on July 12, 1991. They moved to Stockbridge and went into business, opening Jerrold’s Quality Flooring. They enjoyed many years of ballroom dancing and small community life, all while being active members of Stockbridge United Methodist Church.
Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald, her parents Gerald and Alice, and sisters-in-law, Elaine Kipp and Lois McNaughton. She is survived by her husband, Jerrold Bivins; children, Cynthia (Dean) McBrien and Bonnie (Charles) Knight, step children, Todd (Geri) Bivins and Shelly Bivins; six grandchildren, Adam Knight and Chris, Cody, Amber, Rylee, and Iain Bivins; great-grandchild, Parker James; and brother, Donald Stewart; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Above all, Lois was a loving, warm-hearted, courageous, and beautiful person who was loved by all. Those who knew her often said, “she was so easy to love.”
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Lois’ memory may do so to: Donation Processing - The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge.
