Lois May (Sams) Melville was born September 16th, 1944 in Deer Park Washington. The oldest of seven children, born to Herbert and Lillian Sams of Elk, Washington. She graduated from Riverside High School in 1962. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 30th, 2025 at her home in Chattaroy, Washington.

In 1963, Lois married Homer Joy. While they would later divorce, it was this union that brought Lois her seven cherished children. Lois was a devout Christian, attending Elk Community Church her entire life. She lived in Elk on the family homestead until 2001, when she married her beloved husband Edward Melville, and moved to Chattaroy.

Lois enjoyed writing, she wrote for the Deer Park Tribune and later the Elk Sentinel. She was an amazing quilter and pie maker. Using those talents to make treasures and treats for her family.  She loved animals, especially horses,gardening, and travelling. She made trips around the Western US, Canada, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. Nowhere was as spectacular to her as Alaska, it was her favorite destination. She was an avid fisherwoman and enjoyed any day on the water.

Lois spent her working years in the service industry, beginning at the Crescent creating their beautiful Christmas windows. She worked at numerous restaurants as a server and manager. She spent her last years until retirement, at Macy's, working in fragrances for Givenchy.

What she loved and treasured most was family. The gift of being wife, sister, mom, and her well earned promotion to Grammy. She leaves behind her love of nearly 30 years, Edward Melville, sons, Morgan (Cheryl) Joy, Preston (Debbie) Joy, Marshall (Shana) Joy, Travis (Cassandra)Joy, Justin (Sue) Joy, daughters Stephanie (Tracey) Joy-Marko, and Bethany(Anthony) Joy-Mazulo. Step -children Pat (Christy) Melville, Ed Jr. (Angie) Melville, and Annette Melville. Her siblings Laura (Larry) Isaak, Marlene (David) Wines, Steve Sams, and Stacy (Pat) Sams. Her 31 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Lois also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, her beloved Wheeler family, and her trusty dog Ruger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Lilly Sams, and brothers Stan and Sandy Sams.

We would like to thank her amazing Care Team at Horizon Hospice.

She will be laid to rest in a private burial at Elk Cemetery but we invite you to celebrate her life at a memorial, April 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm, at the Country Church of the Open Bible, 40015 N Collins Rd, Elk, WA 99009.