Lois Oden Medders

Lois Medders, 84, departed this world on the evening of Sunday, June 15, 2025, at home in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by her family. She leaves a legacy of love with all who knew her. Over the course of her life, Lois became the embodiment of the Fruits of the Spirit -- charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). She was a spiritual warrior who blessed many with her prayers and encouragement.
Born Lois Ann Oden on October 21, 1940 in Grant County, Indiana, she was the final addition to the little family of Reverend Frank F. and Dorothy M. Oden (nee Lindeman). Lois lived within 150 miles of Marion, Indiana for the first 23 years of her life. Then after a brief stint in the Pacific Northwest immediately after college, she came to permanently call Alabama her home.
Lois graduated from Holmes High School (Marion, Indiana) and afterward attended Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University). At Marion College, she met and married Thomas L. Medders. They were blessed with five children, two grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Lois spent her life in Christian ministry, first as a minister's daughter and later as a minister's wife, children's church director, and music director -- avocations from which she never fully retired. Additionally, she was a business woman with a "great head for numbers." Lois held a lengthy career in banking, and was the only woman in her graduating class from the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Banking. In her later career years, she worked in legal accounting, retiring from Birmingham law firm Christian & Small at age 78.
Lois was also an artisan, especially appreciated for her musical talents. She could play music by ear, was accomplished in several instruments, and sang in a rich alto voice, having a resonance that sounded to many like a "warm, inviting hug." As creatives often are, Lois was multi-talented, with cake decorating, flower arranging and creative writing skills that could rival a professional's. All of her talents were shared freely, and she took great pleasure in making things just right for a wedding or other special occasion.
Lois had a great capacity for faith, encouragement, mercy, and intercession. She was a reliable, go-to person for anyone who felt lost, discouraged, or otherwise in need of prayer. And her prayers were powerful! She relied on God every day in every part of her life and overflowed with the joy that only a close relationship with Jesus can produce. She is now fully with Jesus "in the garden," praising and worshipping nonstop. What joy that must be!
Lois is survived by her husband of over 62 years, Thomas Medders; her daughters, Lisabeth (Wayne) Vining and Lorilee (Gary) Meggs; her son, Timothy Medders; grandsons, Zachary Majors and Adam (Jessica) Majors; great grandchildren, Nathaniel, Logan, Juliette, Jeremiah, Matthew and Kohen Majors; her half-sisters, Kathleen Oden (Jeffrey) Rattray and Betty Oden (Scott) Tabor; her stepsister, Paula (Richard, deceased) Freudenberg; and nieces, JoJean DeMond (Bryan) Thompson and Janelle DeMond (Mark) Bauer, and nephew, Ramon (Treasa) DeMond, whom Lois likened to her own children since their mother's death. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Frank F. and Dorothy M. (Lindeman) Oden; her sons, Thomas Medders and Jonathan Medders; and her sister, Carole Oden DeMond.
The Celebration of Life service for Lois will be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at McCalla Memorial Funeral Home (4780 Letson Farms Pkwy, McCalla, Alabama) with burial following at George Stewart Cemetery, 12540 N. Scottsville Rd., West Blocton, AL. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.