1927
Lois
2024
Lois O'Vella Runyon
October 1, 1927 — April 8, 2024
Hyattsville
Lois O'Vella Runyon, a beloved mother and grandmother, was called home on April 8th, 2024 in Hyattsville, MD. She was the 4th child born to the late Norris and Maggie Davis on October 1, 1927 in Iaeger, WV. O'Vella was a woman of strength and grace who touched the lives of all who knew her.
In her younger years, her family moved a lot between West Virginia and Pennsylvania, before settling in Hyattsville, Maryland around the beginning of World War II. She attended Hyattsville High School, were she was a star basketball player. She carried that same determination into every aspect of her life. At age 15, she began working for the Department of Defense and later moved into the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in a supervisor role as a medical terminologist. O'Vella married Thomas W. Runyon on January 12, 1951 and welcomed her first child, Anita in 1953. She then welcomed two more children, Sherrie and Paul. After 40 plus years of working for the government, O'Vella retired in 1983 and became a full time Mema to her grandchildren.
She was a devout member of The Church of the Open Bible, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, pianist, and event coodinator for many years. She loved gardening and spent hours tending to it. This brought joy to her and all those she shared her vegetables with.
O'Vella is survived by her daughter Sherrie Runyon-Spears; grandchildren Amber (Travis) Copeland, Lacy Anderson, Thomas James (Sarah) Runyon, and Angelina Runyon; great grandchildren Travis, Madalynn, Genea, Marley, Adrian, Eylse, and Chance; and her great great granddaughter Ella. Extended family includes sisters JoyAnn (Albert) Herndon and Roberta (Fred) Mosedale, along with many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas W. Runyon; children Anita Browning and Paul Runyon and grandchildren Joshua Browning and Holly Spears.
A memorial service will be held at Eastminister Presbyterian Church on April 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, located at 5601 Randolph Street, Hyattsville, MD 20784. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate a soul graciously returned to her Maker. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Lois's name to The Church of the Open Bible, located at 4709 Ogelthopre Street, Riverdale, MD 20737.
In her younger years, her family moved a lot between West Virginia and Pennsylvania, before settling in Hyattsville, Maryland around the beginning of World War II. She attended Hyattsville High School, were she was a star basketball player. She carried that same determination into every aspect of her life. At age 15, she began working for the Department of Defense and later moved into the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in a supervisor role as a medical terminologist. O'Vella married Thomas W. Runyon on January 12, 1951 and welcomed her first child, Anita in 1953. She then welcomed two more children, Sherrie and Paul. After 40 plus years of working for the government, O'Vella retired in 1983 and became a full time Mema to her grandchildren.
She was a devout member of The Church of the Open Bible, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, pianist, and event coodinator for many years. She loved gardening and spent hours tending to it. This brought joy to her and all those she shared her vegetables with.
O'Vella is survived by her daughter Sherrie Runyon-Spears; grandchildren Amber (Travis) Copeland, Lacy Anderson, Thomas James (Sarah) Runyon, and Angelina Runyon; great grandchildren Travis, Madalynn, Genea, Marley, Adrian, Eylse, and Chance; and her great great granddaughter Ella. Extended family includes sisters JoyAnn (Albert) Herndon and Roberta (Fred) Mosedale, along with many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas W. Runyon; children Anita Browning and Paul Runyon and grandchildren Joshua Browning and Holly Spears.
A memorial service will be held at Eastminister Presbyterian Church on April 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, located at 5601 Randolph Street, Hyattsville, MD 20784. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate a soul graciously returned to her Maker. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Lois's name to The Church of the Open Bible, located at 4709 Ogelthopre Street, Riverdale, MD 20737.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lois O'Vella Runyon, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, April 20, 2024
1:00 - 3:00 pm (Eastern time)
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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