BISSETT, Lois Jean

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Friday, February 06, 2015 Lois “Taylor” Jean Bissett August 25, 1931 - January 27, 2015 Lois Jean (Taylor) Bissett, 83, of Payson, Ariz., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz. Lois was born in Payson, Ariz. on Aug. 25, 1931. She attended first through eighth grades in the “Red Rock Building,” which is where Julia Randall School is now located. Lois was seven years old when her parents, Richard and Valda Taylor, purchased the Doll Baby Ranch. She enjoyed ranch life, especially riding horses. The family moved to Chandler, Ariz. in 1945 so Lois and her older sister, Fern, could attend high school. Lois also attended Arizona State University. Lois was married to Dwight Arlen “Bucky” Sossaman from 1950 to 1959 and lived in Colorado and Chandler, Ariz. Their daughter, Deborah Jean, was born April 18, 1951 and their son, Dwight Arlen Jr. “Koko,” was born April 2, 1952. Lois moved back to Payson in 1967, just before the “Big Snow.” She and Don Bissett were married on Nov. 22, 1971 in Elko, Nev. and Lois began working for the Gila County Auto License Department in 1974. She retired from the department in 1993. Lois was very involved in the Daughters of Gila County Pioneers and the Payson Womans Club and served as treasurer for both organizations. She loved reading and decorating for Christmas with her huge collection of Santa figurines. She and Don enjoyed spending time together until his passing in 2010. They loved their home in Payson Ranchos and made many changes and improvements to it over the years. Throughout her life Lois spent much of her time focused on the needs of her large extended family. Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Don Bissett; parents, Richard and Valda Taylor; and brother, John Taylor. She is survived by sisters, Fern Spears and Patty (Jim) Rhoades; children, Debbie Morris, Koko (Nora) Sossaman; step-daughters, Vicki Bissett Rhea and Shelly Bissett; grandchildren, Tanya Winters, Willie Morris, Bennie Morris, Barbie Calloway, Ty Sossaman, Nikki Hardin, Heather Rhea, Melanie Stedman, Shayne Herring, Jenna Herring; nieces and nephews, Alice (Karl) Stambaugh, Margaret (Dwight) Payne, Kym (Darren) Reid, Aaron (Megan) Taylor, Joshua Taylor and Nicole Taylor; and many precious great-grandchildren. A potluck get-together to remember Lois will be held at Mountain Bible Church, building C (Activity Center) at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Payson Pioneer Cemetery, P.O. Box 33, Payson, AZ 85547 or Daughters of Gila County Pioneers, P.O. Box 94, Payson, AZ 85547.