Lansing State Journal, Monday 7 July 1941

Lois Ardela Allen was a farmer's daughter. She was born 28 July 1867, Putnam County, Ohio to James Addison (1844-1910) and Cecilia (Coates) (1844-1870) Allen, making Lois one of the older students on the Okemos Union School list of of 1888. Unfortunately, Lois' mother died about 1870 leaving Lois and a younger sister motherless. Within 6 months of his wife's death, James Allen was remarried to a Miss Melvina Smith (1853-1933). She and James added to the family 3 sons but sadly Sada, the younger biological sister to Lois, died in 1875.

James Allen was a Union Civil War veteran. He worked hard on his farm in Alaiedon Township and was proudly able to give his first-born daughter's hand in marriage on 11 December 1889 in Okemos to Lloyd Henry Laylin. Lloyd, born 16 June 1867, Ingham County, too was a farmer. He and Lois raised 3 children, Dwight, Ina and Alice, on their farm in Alaiedon township. Lloyd's sister also married into the Allen family when she wed Lois' half-brother Walter in 1894. Walter too was among the Okemos school students of 1888.

Lois' husband Lloyd passed away 25 May 1933, Alaiedon Township, and Lois died 1 July 1941, Ingham County. Both were interred Leek Cemetery, Okemos.

Lansing State Journal, Thursday 25 May 1933