Delois Loomis

Delois Carlile Loomis left this life December 26, 2024, at the age of 87 at Oakwood Manor, Brooksville, Mississippi. She was born in Gainesboro, Tennessee on November 22, 1937, to Walter and Bertha Carlile. At the age of six, she relocated with her family to Cookeville, Tennessee, where she resided until she married Sumner Stuart Loomis on June 30, 1956.

Delois learned the value of work, growing up on a farm and helping to care for her six brothers and a sister. Her parents were simple folks who feared God and lived in harmony with their neighbors and many friends. As a teen, she faced one of the harsh realities of life when her young brother, Johnny Joe, died of kidney disease at home after a lengthy illness. As a young girl, she felt the weight of her sin, and a gentle Savior beckoned her to the power of his cleansing blood. She accepted Jesus as her Savior and followed him faithfully until the end. 

Delois met Stuart who became her life's companion, while he was attending college in her hometown. They enjoyed 67 years of marriage and had three children together. Life took them to many places that they called home. Wherever she went, she found friends. Most of her life, she considered herself a housewife. But one of her friends once remarked that it might be interesting to drive a school bus. So, the two ladies became qualified to drive bus for the public school system. Delois enjoyed doing that for several years.  

In time, she and Stuart became acquainted with the people of God in Macon, Mississippi and joined themselves with the Church of God in Christ Mennonites in January of 1971. She remained faithful until the end. Life was not always easy for her. She lost most of her earthly possessions in a tornado, faced heartache when a child lost the way, and lost siblings in death early due to illnesses. Through all these trials, Jesus bore her safely through. In the past year, she has looked forward to laying her troubles down and joining Stuart in heaven.  

The family is grateful to Oakwood Manor and their staff, Brooksville, Mississippi, for their love and care in the time she lived there.   

Delois leaves to grieve her passing two children, Mark and his wife Ruth Loomis of Ayden, North Carolina; Susan and husband Kenton Schmidt of Dumas, Arkansas; a daughter in law, Angela Loomis, of Repton, Alabama; a brother, Fred and wife Judy of Cookeville, Tennessee; seven nieces and nephews, eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart; her parents; five brothers and a sister; a son, Matthew; and one grandson.  

The funeral was at Oakwood Manor, Brooksville, Mississippi on Monday December 30, 2024, at 10:30 am. The service was officiated by minister Chester Esau of Dumas, Arkansas. Visitation will be held at Oakwood Manor Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Interment is at Brooksville Mennonite Cemetery. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.