Lois Fletcher passed away on September 20, 2026, at Palemon Gaskins Nursing Home in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11AM, Monday, September 28, at Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla, with the Rev. Rex Johnson and the Rev. Matthew Baker officiating and Joyce Ashley will deliver a eulogy. Interment will follow in the Pinetta Cemetery in Irwin County. The family will receive friends from 10AM until the service hour at the funeral home.
Lois Vereen Mangham Fletcher was born in Eastman, Georgia, on September 20, 1940. She was adopted by Robert and Julia Mae Mangham at the age of three and spent a wonderful childhood in Ty Ty, Georgia, where she was surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and her faith family at Ty Ty Baptist Church. She loved to tell stories of growing up in that special little town and all the shenanigans she and her cousins would create.
Lois attended grade school in Ty Ty, Georgia, and graduated from Tift County High School. Under her senior picture, it says, “I talk and talk as I go and I go on forever.” This held true throughout her entire life, as she had boundless energy and loved nothing more than talking to anyone she would meet!
On May 24, 1964, Lois married Amos Fletcher of Irwin County, Georgia, in the home they built and would live in for their entire married life. They were married for 51 years before Amos passed away on April 8, 2015.
Lois loved farm life and always had a project going or was thinking about what project she wanted to do next. She loved working in her yards and especially enjoyed tending to her daylilies and roses. She enjoyed creating whimsical garden communities in honor of her grandchildren and other special children in her life. Lois was an avid collector of dolls, toys, antiques, and anything that reminded her of someone she loved.
To most people in Irwin County, she was known as “Miss Lois.” She taught preschool at Kiddie Academy and Ocilla Baptist Preschool. She made every child she taught feel special and loved. Miss Lois considered this her ministry. She always taught children about Jesus. Every child learned to sing “Jesus Loves Me” and learned to recite Psalm 100. She shared a felt-board Bible story every day and always lived a life so others would see Jesus in her.
The parents loved Miss Lois just as much as the students did. She always had time to listen to parents and pray with anyone who was struggling or just needed a friend.
One of her favorite hobbies was designing floats for the Sweet Potato Parade and the Rose Parade, with both her and her preschoolers dressed in adorable costumes. Miss Lois loved the time she spent with the preschool families making these floats together.
In addition to her husband, Amos Fletcher, Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Julia Mae Mangham, and her great-grandson, Brooks Gibson.
Lois is survived by her children, Judith and Brian Gibson of Warwick, Georgia, and Tift and Jane Fletcher of St. Augustine, Florida. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Ryan and Misty Gibson, Dustin and Cari Gibson, Daniel and Katelyn Gibson, Melissa Gibson and Wesley Boyett, Coleman Fletcher and Victoria Register. She is survived by great-grandchildren, Ty Gibson, Adley Harper, Briley Harper, and Caitley Fletcher.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the wonderful staff of Palemon Gaskins Nursing Home for all the love and care they shared with Miss Lois and the family. To Empyrean Hospice, the family would also like to express their gratitude for your support and kindness.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests that you live like Miss Lois. Be kind to everyone. Always be willing to listen to someone who needs a friend. Create something fun. Collect something just because it makes you happy. Put your hands in the dirt and plant something that will last. Affirm someone. Let a child know they matter in this world. And most of all, love Jesus and let your light shine!
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.