Lois E. Szymanski, 78, of McComb passed away at SouthwestMississippi Regional Medical Center, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, ofheart failure.

Hartman Funeral Home of McComb is in charge of arrangements.Visitation will be this evening from 5 to 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7p.m. Visitation will continue Friday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. atLigouri Hall at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in McComb, with afuneral Mass following at 10 a.m. Burial will be in HolmesvilleCemetery with Fathers Bill Henry and Don Deriveaux officiating.

Born June 8, 1926 in Lincoln County, her parents were Lee Hughand Ola Freeman Forrest. Traveling from the Deep South to New York,she worked and modeled at the Tall Girl Shop in Buffalo. She was aretired inspector for the General Electric Corporation of New York.Returning to Mississippi from New York with her family in the mid1970’s, she worked at the DeVille dress shop in McComb, was an areaAmerican Greeting Card representative and a loved and wellremembered school bus driver for the North Pike School System.

Mrs. Lois was an active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church,and a member of the church Cursillo Group. She was a Girl Scoutleader and top cookie seller for her daughter’s troop. As atalented and self-taught artist, she was a member of local artgroups and delighted in capturing the beauty and complexity ofnature draped in a sunset or autumn colors as well as thesimplicity of an old barn surrounded by dogwoods and magnolias, herfavorite flowers and trees. She greeted new and old friends alikewith her beautiful smile, a hug (not a handshake), and bits offriendly advice. She found great joy and laughter in the multitudeof “honorary” grandkids that she and her husband were blessed tocare for over recent years.

Tuesday evening she was welcomed home to Heaven by the Lord andthose who had traveled before her, parents Lee and Ola, along withJohn and Harriet, her brothers, L.H. Wilburt, as well as Henry andNick, her grandparents, family, friends and a host of angels.

She is survived by her husband and love of 53 years, Edward E.Szymanski of McComb; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Elizabeth(Liz) McDaniel and husband, Bobby, of McComb, and Eva MarieRandolph and husband, Stephen, of Tickfaw, La.

Also surviving are five brothers and their spouses, Curtis andRose Forrest of Brookhaven, Marvin and Dianne Forrest of McComb,Billy Joe, Robert Earl and Ellis Forrest, all of McComb; twosisters and their spouses, Estelle and Al Slivka of Potomac, Md.,and Levell and Percy Burrough of McComb; brothers-in-law andsisters-in-law, Robert (Bob) Szymanski of Cheektowaga, N.Y., AndyVeltri and Ceil Szymanski of Buffalo, N.Y., Jane and Paul Heilandof Marcy, N.Y. and FloraMae Forrest of McComb.

She is loved and missed by 49 nieces and nephews, and all herdear friends.

Pallbearers will be Danny Forrest, Ronnie Forrest, GlennBurrough, Jessie Cartwright, Joey Richard and Phil Price. HonoraryPallbearers will be Tom Slivka, Steve Burrough, Alvie Lee Forrestand Dennis Dunn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. AlphonsusChurch Building Fund or St. Alphonsus School.