Lois Marie Rodriquez

Lois Marie Baird Rodriquez peacefully passed this life on September 19, 2010. She died in her home, surrounded by her family, after a long illness. Services are pending with Integrity Funeral Home, Henryetta , Oklahoma . Lois was born Oct. 1, 1927 at Tiger Mountain in McIntosh County . She was the daughter of Chester Taft Baird and Sophronia Marie Price Baird. Her family moved to Hitchita in 1932, and she lived in and around Henryetta her whole life. Lois was a 1945 graduate of St. Michael Catholic School, and a graduate of Connors State College. She was dedicated to God at the alter of the Henryetta First Church of the Nazarene, where she was a lifelong member. Her funeral will be held there. Lois was well known for her service to other. A long time activist for senior citizens, she served as motivational and recreational services director for many years at Fountain View Manor Nursing Home. She was instrumental in the construction of the new Senior Citizen's Nutritional Center of Henryetta, which serves as a meeting place and provides meals to many seniors in the area. For that accomplishment, she received a State Ombudsman Award. She also was a guiding voice in creating the memorial plaque attached to the Henryetta Doughboy, which honors Henryetta servicemembers killed in action in all wars. The plaque was attached to the Doughboy in 1991. She also participated in the restoration project of Doughboy in 1999, as documented at this website: In recognition for her active service to the city, Lois was chosen Henryettan of the year twice. Lois was a prolific writer, and for many years was the owner, editor and publisher of The Oklahoma Citizen, a small newspaper dedicated to local events and senior citizen news. Lois also was very interested in Henryetta's history. She participated in the creation of the Okmulgee County History book, published in 1985 by the Okmulgee Historical Society, for which she authored several sections of family history. Later, she compiled, wrote and published a book titled Henryetta Highlights: A Pictorial History of Henryetta. On Oct. 24, 1947, she married Gregory Rodriquez, Sr. in the Henryetta First Church of the Nazarene. She was a loving wife for 49 years until Gregory passed away in 1996. She and Gregory had six children together. Gregory Rodriquez, Jr. and Estelita Marie Rodriquez, her eldest son and daughter, preceded her in death. She also was preceded in death by her father, Chester Taft Baird, her mother, Sophronia Price Baird, and her brother, Chester Leon Baird. Lois is survived by four children, three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren: Her son, Stephen Ricardo Rodriquez and wife Vickie, of Henryetta; Granddaughter Ginger Rodriquez Hendershot and husband Duane; Great-grandchildren Wesley Hendershot, Kelsey Hendershot, and Emily Hendershot, Her daughter, Angela Suzette Rodriquez of Henryetta, the primary caregiver for Lois for several years. Her son, Francisco (Frankie) Rodriquez of Norman; grandchildren Richard Gregory Rodriquez and Jessica Marie Rodriquez.Her son, Vincent Ramone Rodriquez of Henryetta; Her sisters, Wilma Baird Pyles in Washington state and sister Sue Baird Porter of McAlester. Services will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 10:00 am, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Henryetta with Rev. Lowell Churchill officiating. Interment will follow the service at Westlawn Cemetery in Henryetta under the care and direction of Integrity Funeral Service.