Lois Teague

Lois Faye Teague, 89, of Wichita, KS passed away January 6, 2022, in her family home. 

Lois was born to the late Asa and Millie Smith, January 16, 1932, in Waldo, Arkansas. She was raised and educated with her two brothers, Alton and Charles Smith. She loved to share memories of her Christian upbringing and when she was baptized in a creek close to her home at an early age.  

She was married to the late Sonny Criner for a short time. Two children, Pat and Tommy, were born out of this union. After her divorce she met Benjamin Teague. Ben was truly the answer to Lois’ prayers.  Sometime before they met she wrote the following in a letter: “God, please send me a good Christian man with no kids, ‘cause I already have two (children).” They fell in love and were joined in holy matrimony in Newton, KS. on July 6, 1965, in front of a few friends. Shortly thereafter, Alvin and Allen (a.k.a. ‘the twins’) were born. The couple bought a house and raised their family on 23rd and Erie, where their neighbors eventually grew into an extended family. The Teagues also united with Paradise Missionary Baptist Church early in their relationship under the leadership of Pastor William A. Bunton and later Pastor Paul L. Gray, Sr.

Lois was spirited, opinionated and an independent thinker who truly loved God, her husband, children, grandchildren, friends and church family. Although she worked for several prominent families over the years, her priority was to ensure that her children understood the importance of a good work ethic, self-discipline and a quality education. She also mastered the art of using storytelling to teach morals to her children. Her daughter Patricia can certainly attest to this attribute. 

Mrs. Teague loved spending time with members of her Paradise family. She enjoyed sitting on the porch and socializing with Sister Annie Johnson (while eating fried bologna sandwiches). Sharing ‘inside jokes’ with Sister Bettye Anderson while they served on the usher board together was also a favorite pastime. Her other hobbies included ‘finding the good stuff at garage sales,’ taking trips to the bakery to get ‘day old bread’ and making the best home made ice cream out of snow.   

Lois was diagnosed with ‘Early-Onset Dementia’ in 2012. She was blessed to remain home and to be cared for by her husband who had a nursing background. Many days were challenging, but he remained faithful to his wedding vows to love her “in sickness and in health.” After Ben passed in February 2020, her children and grandchildren ‘stepped-up’ and cared for her with patience and love.

True to how Lois lived her life, her final words were, “Thank you Jesus.”

She was proceeded in death by her parents Asa and Millie Smith and brothers Alton and Charles. Also waiting for her is Benjamin, her husband of fifty-four years. Left to honor her memory are her daughter Patricia Patterson, Wichita, KS.; son, Tommy (Ardalia) Criner, Wichita, KS.; son, Alvin Teague, Wichita, KS.; son, Allen (Shawn) Teague, Wichita, KS.; brother-in-law, Reverend Russell (Lynn) Teague, Kansas City, MO.; sister-in-law, Virginia Smith, Wisconsin, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and neighbors who loved her.

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