Lola "Joan" Waldrop went to be with the Lord and was reunited with the love of her life on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at the age of 90. Mom was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on August 16th, 1932, to Emmet and Fern (Ely) Rathbun.

She accepted Christ in 1948, and attended Trinity Methodist Church, where she had fond memories of singing in the church choir with her mom.

Our mom played the clarinet in the band at school and enjoyed music her entire life. After graduating from high school, she attended Hutchinson Junior College, and then worked at Banker's Investment. Mom fell in love with William Thomas Jack Waldrop while he was stationed in Hutchinson in the Navy, and they were married on May 15th, 1953. They had a beautiful love story that their children and grandchildren were blessed to observe and strive to imitate. Dad left to go overseas soon after they were married, and they kept the postal service busy with their many love letters that they sent each other.

After Dad returned from his tour of duty, he and Mom moved to Tulsa where she worked at Spartan Trailers and then later moved to Oklahoma City where they raised their family. Mom and Dad started their family in 1958, and Mom began

her career as a Homemaker. Although Mom would say, "I'm just a homemaker," we all knew she was a Proverbs 31 woman. Being the mom of three children wasn't always easy, but she made it look like a "piece of cake." What wonderful memories we have of a happy Mom who wasn't perfect, but she was perfect for us! She volunteered at our schools, went to our activities, sewed costumes and outfits for us including bridesmaid dresses for special friends, volunteered in Girl Scouts, planted gardens, read us countless books, and just made us feel like we were her priority. There were many vacations where she navigated our routes and prepared meals out of an ice chest. Those were busy days, but she later was able to enjoy some hobbies like quilting, cross stitching, reading, and word puzzles. When grandchildren arrived, Mom was gracious to watch them while we went on dates, to appointments, and the occasional special breakfast before getting them on the bus to elementary school. She played with them and taught them that family is important, and the legacy continued as our children now knew that they were a priority in their grandma's eyes.

Most recently, Mom and Dad attended Southern Hills Baptist Church. We are thankful for their Godly leadership in our home. Mom will be deeply missed by everyone who was blessed to get to know her. Mom is now in Heaven with a host of family and friends who have gone before her. She was preceded in death by our Dad after 67 years of marriage, her parents, her sister Wanda Bush, and her brother and sister-in-law, Chumley and Joan Waldrop. She leaves many cherished memories with her children: Scott Waldrop, Sherri Lupton & Lisa McAllister, their spouses Linda Waldrop and Darrell McAllister (who she loved and treated like her own); grandchildren: Kyle McAllister and wife Hayley, Lauren Lupton, Colin Waldrop, Austin McAllister, Connor Waldrop, Logan McAllister & Elyse McAllister; brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Charlotte Rathbun, and numerous other loving family members and friends. We will miss our Mom dearly, but look forward to the day we will be reunited forever.