Lois Annabelle Martin

Lois A. Martin of Paw Paw, MI died March 27, 2026, at the age of 97. Lois was born in Kalamazoo, MI on March 14,1929. As a child she lived with her family on the Upjohn farms of Richland, where she did various jobs, especially attending and working with horses. After graduating from Richland High School in 1947, she was employed for a time at Sutherland Paper Co. Later, Lois was hired and worked in the Upjohn animal complex in downtown Kalamazoo. She was employed there for 37 years.

Several interests and hobbies kept Lois very active. A life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, she sang soprano in the choir, giving many solos for special events. She also sang at times in the Bach Festival Choir. One of her great passions was her love of animals, in particular horses. She owned, trained, and showed Arabian horses for 50 years.

Lois was very athletic and played tennis and softball. Besides being a one-time member of the West Hills Tennis Club, she played short stop in women’s softball. Lois helped lead her A and B teams to championships. Skiing, traveling and gardening gave her great enjoyment. Her motto for life: “Variety is the spice of life.”

Lois is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Clad and Lyla (Patterson) Martin, her brothers, Kedwick, Glenn, Francis and Donald Martin, and several nephews.

The memorial service to celebrate Lois’ life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Richland, 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2026. The internment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Richland Presbyterian Church, 8047 Church St., Richland, MI 49083 or the Kalamazoo Humane Society, 2272 River St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, Richland Chapel. Personal memories of Lois or messages for her family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.