Lolita (Lolly) Elizabeth Thetford

Lolita (Lolly) Elizabeth Thetford, 85, of Oklahoma City, was taken by the angels on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Lolly was born October 9, 1924 to Grant and Hazel Keener in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. She had a fairy tale childhood growing up in Rio, living across the street from Copacabana Beach. Lolly's tales of her adventures in Rio as a young girl and teenager were legendary, and she took great pleasure in telling them. She loved everything about Brazil, and particularly loved speaking Portugese (in which she was fluent) and making her famous fejouda (Brazilian black beans and rice). When Lolly was 18, she left Brazil for Oklahoma, where her father was from, to attend the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She graduated from OU with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Following her graduation from college, she returned to Brazil for a time, and became acquainted with the senior E.K. Gaylord. He took an immediate liking to the bubbly young lady and told her to look him up if she was ever back in Oklahoma, and she did just that. Lolly began working for The Daily Oklahoman as a reporter. It was there that she met Francis William Thetford, another reporter who would later become her husband. Lolly and Francis were married in 1952 and had 3 sons, William, Lawrence and Clint. Her sons were the light of her life, and would often tell people, "they raised me." In addition to the time she spent working for The Daily Oklahoman, she also worked at Channel 4 for many years. One of her favorite memories there was being personally serenaded by Barry Manilow, singing "Mandy" live on The Danny Williams' Show. She also spent time working at Rothschilds and Jerome's clothing stores, and had numerous friends from all of those places of employment. Her 80th birthday party was packed full of all the wonderful friends she had made over the years. Lolly was gregarious and fun loving, with a smile and a conversation for anyone and everyone. She truly never met a stranger. Lolly was devoted to her family, her church and to her God, who sustained her through many trials. She was God's faithful servant, completely full of the love and generosity of Christ towards others. She will be sorely missed by all of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Herbert Keener. Survivors include son, William Thetford and his wife, Rachel, of Nichols Hills, OK; son, Lawrence Thetford, and his wife, Stacey, of Overland Park, KS; son, Clint Thetford, of Los Angeles, CA; brother, Grant Keener, and his wife, Gillian, of Houston, TX; sister, Patricia Cates, of Oklahoma City, OK; and five beloved grandchildren, Shad, Kimberly, Claire, Connor and Cameron Thetford. In honor of Lolly's wishes, a private, family-only graveside ceremony will be held.