Stratton Lois Jean

Lois Jean Stratton, age 103, passed away on January 9, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry D. Stratton, her father, Carey Shipley, her mother, Dora Louise (Watts) Shipley and her stepmother, Katharine Downing. She was born on July 8, 1922, in Lexington, but grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.
After graduating from Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis, she attended Butler University for one year before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where she was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She graduated in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. Prior to her college graduation, she traveled to Pikeville, Kentucky with a sorority sister, "to see the mountains". It was there she met her future husband who had just returned from service in the Philippines, on a blind date. Lois and Henry were married on June 14, 1947, and moved to Louisville shortly thereafter while Henry attended law school. They returned to Pikeville in 1950 and were happily married for 42 years until Henry's death in 1989. As a couple, they enjoyed raising their 3 children and traveling the world. Lois was an active member of her community, participating in the Pikeville Women's club, various bridge clubs and auxiliaries. For many years she led a Girl Scout troop. When these girls became teenagers, she organized a trip to Europe for them. She was an expert in needlepoint as well as sewing, often making her own clothes. She had a lifelong passion for interior decorating and design and loved creating beautiful and inviting spaces for friends' homes and her own. She will also be remembered as a gifted pianist and organist. For many years she was the organist for the Kentucky State Women's Club, and she also played for Kentucky Bar Association conventions. She played by ear and was able to play more than 600 different musical pieces.
She is survived by her three children, David C. Stratton (Donna), Daniel P. Stratton (Muriel) and Terry L. Stratton; three grandchildren, Matt Justice (Lindsay), Adam Stratton (Shannon) and Rachel S. McLaughlin (Andrew), and three great grandchildren, Brian Justice, Emily Justice, and Beau Stratton.
The family expresses a special note of appreciation to her caregivers from Home Instead who have lovingly cared for her these last years. Thank you to her most recent caregivers: Fatma, Virginia, Tamara, Marilyn, and Vera.
Visitation will be Monday, January 12th from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Milward – Man O'War located at 1509 Trent Blvd in Lexington. A second visitation will be held at J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home located at 703 Hambley Blvd. in Pikeville on Tuesday, January 13th 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm with funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm. A private interment service will follow at the family cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the University of Pikeville. To share a remembrance of Lois or to offer condolences to her family, please visit milwardfuneral.com to sign the tribute portion of her obituary page. Guests may also visit jwcallfuneralhome.com to offer condolences online.