During the early morning hours of April 27, 2019, Lois went to be with her Lord and Savior.

Almost 97 years ago on May 7, 1922 Lois Justine Scott was born to Theola Melvina and Judson King Scott, in Donora, Pennsylvania. She spent all of her formative years among her many relatives in Donora, whom she loved dearly. Although she loved her home, her family realized opportunities would be limited in the small town.  When it came time for her senior year in high school, her older, and only sister, Edna, and Edna's husband, Len, convinced Theola and "Juddy" Lois should graduate from a high school in the big city (Pittsburgh) in order to have a better chance to attend college. Edna was a woman with views ahead of her time and did not take no for an answer, a trait her younger sister shared. So, much to Lois' dismay, her parents agreed, and she graduated from Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh.

Edna had been correct and Lois discovered she had the opportunity to attend Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She dearly loved the Chambersburg area and the Wilson College from which she, and later her daughter, graduated. But love can be a funny thing and Chambersburg was not where that handsome man in the sergeant's uniform lived. He lived in, would you believe it, Donora, Pennsylvania. On May 30, 1943 Lois Justine Scott married Sgt. Joseph Fredrick Emler (Ted).  Although their time together was not long, two children were born to their union, Judith Ann (Judy) and Jay Scott.

During their short marriage and after Ted's separation from the service, they moved to Boulder, Colorado, where Lois began her lifelong passion for teaching children. Her passion for knowledge blossomed once she moved back to Pittsburgh and attended the University of Pittsburgh for her master's degree and started a long career as a teacher.  In addition to the schools at which she taught in Colorado, Lois taught at St. Edmunds Academy, Moss Side, Fulton, Regent Square, Sterrett and Mineado schools in Pittsburgh.

If pride is a sin, then Lois was a sinner because she took pride in her students' successes but above all she was immensely proud of her daughter and son. Judy (who was waiting to greet Lois when she went "home" on the 27 ^th ) was a very accomplished student, artist, librarian, mother and grandmother. Jay just turned out to be a lawyer and "politician" in Kansas, but she was proud of him, anyway, and, at least in his presence, referred to him as a "statesman."

To each of Lois' children were born two girls. She was proud of her granddaughters too, no matter how far or near they were; Kisa in far off Chicago; Laura and Katherine out in the "flatlands' (Kansas); and Mandy, who lived just down the road.  Lois came to depend very deeply on Mandy and her husband Rob. (She even came to like Rob, but she refused to tell him, and I am not supposed to mention that.)

Lois also loved her son-in-law, Fred, although I am certain she would never have told him such a thing. She bragged about his nightly telephone calls and, if you were on the phone with her when it was time for him to call, she told you to hang up! She knew she could always depend upon him to help her no matter what the situation, even after his beloved Judy passed.

Lois was a school teacher through and through, pushing each child, whether hers or some else's, to do more than they thought they could do even with her loved ones.  She wanted all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to succeed.  This could sometimes come off as criticism more than love but if you looked beyond the first impression or listened closely you found that she cared deeply even when it did not seem that way outwardly.

Her long life allowed her to become a great-grandmother five times over.  She was closest to her two oldest great grandchildren, Megan and Elissa who lived close and she had the opportunity to watch grow up. Secretly, she was also immensely proud of her great granddaughter, Elissa. Even though reading a book became almost impossible with her failing eyesight, she made certain everyone who came to visit her at St. Barnabas knew Elissa had published a novel at the age of only 18 and, by the way, "Here it is right here on the table."

Lois is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lorraine, (in the flatlands), her son-in-law Fred, four granddaughters and three grandson-in-laws and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by her partner and best friend of more than forty years, Holton "Dick" Yarnall.

Lois and Dick were inseparable from the time Rev. Ralph Brooks introduced them. They both attended St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. After Ralph played Cupid, they began having suppers together and developed a lifelong bond. Eventually they bought a home in Allison Park, but St. Andrew's continued to be their focus. From that introduction at the church to the last day their devotion to each other was complete. Even when life progressed to the point where they had to be in separate living arrangements due to Lois' health, Dick was there every day by her side up until she passed.  I am certain Lois will be waiting to greet Dick, just as Judy greeted her.

For full obituary and Service details please visit www.Kyperfuneralhome.com