Lois Mackey Stansell

Lois Ann Mackey Stansell went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Lois was a strong and courageous woman, who loved the Lord, her family, friends, and her community.

Lois Mackey Stansell was born on August 14th, 1939, in Bloomfield, Nebraska, to Oscar and Ruth Nelson. She was one of 10 children. Her father Oscar passed away in 1945 and in 1947 Ruth and the kids moved to Falfa, Colorado. Lois attended the Orr School in Falfa, CO, through the 8th grade and then attended Durango High School.

On September 22nd, 1956, she married her Cowboy, Nelson (Pinkie) Mackey. When they first married, they lived on the road while Pinkie worked road construction. They settled down and ranched on Middle Mesa, New Mexico, on the Mackey Ranch. Lois and Pinkie were blessed with four children. Lois loved living on the ranch and working with the cattle and horses the family raised. She took on calving heifers and any other ranch work with much dedication and perseverance. She supported the kids in all of their endeavors including running the High School Rodeo team. In 1987, her beloved Cowboy lost his battle with cancer.

On November 25th, 1989, she married JR Stansell. The couple lived in the Ignacio area near the airport. Lois was actively involved in organizing the Four Corners Cutting and Reining Horse Association, and in 1992 received the Association Presidents' Award for outstanding service. In 1996, JR and Lois moved to Boise City, Oklahoma. Lois created a beautiful home, with the most beautiful lawn and flowers. They relocated to Las Animas, Colorado, in 2008 to be closer to cutting shows that JR enjoyed competing in. Again, Lois created a beautiful home and cultivated fair award-winning flowers. She enjoyed embroidery for tea towels and tops of quilts that she gifted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a resourceful woman who had a great passion and talent for giving new life to antique furniture through refinishing.

Lois is survived by her siblings Opal Baumgardner of Pueblo West, Colorado; Ron (Deanna) Nelson of Alberton, Montana; Carol Nelson of Durango, Colorado; and sister of the heart Kathy Kent (Richard) of Ignacio, Colorado; her children James Mackey (Stacy) of Sedan, New Mexico; Rebecca Barnes (Larry) of Ignacio, Colorado; Jerry Mackey (Lorena) of Ignacio, Colorado; and Melody Semler (Wayne) of Bayfield, Colorado. She was blessed with grandchildren Candice Wood (Josh), Justin Mackey (Calla), Julie Romero, Corena Mackey, Chance Mackey (Amy), Megan Gifford (Cody), Forrest Mackey, Augustus Barnes (Erin), Michael Semler (Kaylie). Lois cherished all of her great-grandchildren Cotton Jean and Dutch (Candice and Josh Wood), Timothy Mackey (Justin and Calla Mackey); Kyndall, Brekan, Tobias and Patrick (Julie Romero); Luke Mackey, Matthew Miller, Roper, and Lauretta Collom (Corena Mackey); River, Timber and Glacier (Chance and Amy Mackey); Cooper (Megan and Cody Gifford) and Audrey (Gus and Erin Barnes).
Lois is preceded in death by her first husband Nelson (Pinkie) Mackey (1987); second husband JR Stansell (2019); grandson Nelson Mackey (1999) and six siblings.

A grave side service will be held at the Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield, Colorado, on July 17th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Dave Guy. A celebration of life will follow at the Oxford Grange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Lois to the Arkansas Valley Hospice. Donations may be sent by check to Arkansas Valley Hospice, Inc. P.O. Box 408, 531 Lewis Ave. La Junta, CO 81050 or online at https://www.arkvalleyhospice.org/.