Lois Marie Jett, died peacefully on Nov. 25, 2010 at age 86 at her home in Tyler, Texas. She was a fifth generation Texan, a descendant of Stephen and Sarah Cole Jett, early settlers in Jefferson (now Orange County) Texas when the area was under the rule of Mexico. Both Stephen Jett and his son John Jett, Lois' great-grandfather, were colonists in Lorenzo de Zavalla's Colony, where they received Mexican Land Grants.
Her grandfather, Ransom Ferguson Jett, and her father Willis Warren Jett, were both born in Orange, Texas. Willis W. Jett married Laura Frazier of New Waverly, Texas, daughter of James E. and Martha Ellisor Frazier. Lois was born in Dayton, the fifth, child of Willis and Laura Jett. The Jett's moved to Liberty in 1935, where Willis Jett served as Tax Assessor and Collector of Liberty County for 34 years. Three of Lois' four brothers lived to adulthood in Dayton and Liberty. They were W. Warren Jett, Jr. of New Orleans, deceased 1992; James Daniel Jett of Liberty, deceased 2002, and Ernest C. Jett of Tyler. Lois' father died in 1959 and her mother in 1960.
Lois graduated from high school in Liberty and attended Baylor University for one year. After working for several years in Liberty, she graduated from the University of Texas with a BBA degree, and began working for Humble Oil and Refining Company (now Exxon Mobil) in Houston. She later acquired her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas Law School, the first woman from Liberty County to achieve that distinction. While working for Exxon in New Orleans, Lois took additional courses and successfully qualified to practice law in Louisiana as well as in Texas.
In 1968 in New Orleans, her doctors discovered she had a life threatening Acoustic Neuroma which required surgical removal. The surgery was successful but resulted in a loss of hearing in one ear and partial paralysis on one side of her face. Lois overcame this partial disability and in 1969 was transferred back to Houston where she soon qualified as a Certified Professional Land man (CPL). Lois retired in 1985 from Exxon's Landowner Relations Office of the Exploration Department. Since retirement, she had been active in land work and genealogy, having completed with her brother, Ernest, two books on the genealogy of the Jett Family.
Lois never married, choosing to follow a career. She lived in Conroe with her long time friend Rosa Lee Minter for 15 years. Rosey died in 1990 and Lois remained close to Rosey's family over the years. Lois is survived by her brother, Ernest C. Jett, and numerous nephews and nieces, who held her with great affection and high regard.
Lois will be cremated and her ashes will be distributed to places dear to her heart. There will be a Memorial service at a later date. Arrangements will be under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler.