Lois J. West, 91, of rural Sweet Springs, MO, died Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church or First Christian Church, both in Sweet Springs. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born October 22, 1934, in Lone Pine, WY, she was the daughter of the late Herman F. Jacobson and Lydia Hunteman Jacobson. She graduated from Buffalo High School in Buffalo, WY, and then earned three bachelor’s degrees from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Lois was a pioneer in religious education by being the first female to graduate with a master’s degree in theology Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
After graduating from William Jewell, Lois went to work for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and quickly rose through the ranks becoming a project assistant manager. As a part of her project she was instrumental in the laying of the first submarine telephone lines to Hawaii, and was the first human voice to speak on those lines in 1957.
On June 30, 1962, she married James R. West and they began a career in ministry that lasted nearly 40 years. They served Smith Fork Baptist Church in Osborn, MO, First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, MO, Trinity Baptist Church in Billings, MT, and then retired from Ashland Baptist Church in Ashland, MO.
While being a pastor is a true calling, being a pastor’s wife is a calling as well. She filled in as organist, pianist, sang in the choirs, touched numerous lives as teaching Sunday school and vacation Bible School, along with so many other activities during their ministry. In addition to providing church ministry, Lois taught hearing impaired students while they pastored in Montana and provided training to others so they could do the same. Even though the role of a pastor’s wife is sometimes unseen, Lois was a true minister in her own right. She was also a homemaker for her husband and children through the years making sure that things at home were tended to.
Lois and Jim enjoyed their time in Sweet Springs while pastoring First Baptist Church from 1967-1985, so following their retirement in 2003, they moved back where they have made their home since. Jim went to be with the Lord on March 2, 2022, and Lois has been a resident of the Good Shepherd Care Community for the last several years.
She is survived by three children, Amy West-Fuin (Davide) of Murano, Italy, Julie Hicks (Kevin) of rural Sweet Springs, and James A. West (Jenny) of Ashland; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; five siblings: Gladys Larson of Buffalo, WY, Dave Jacobson of Casper, WY, Anna Buckingham of Buffalo, WY, Carol Moeller of Buck Eye, AZ, and Harry “Jake” Jacobson of San Antonio, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings: Charlie Jacobson, Jimmy Joe Jacobson, and Mary Maynard.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
