Loma McWilliams Schooley was born March 11, 1944, to Tom and Nettie Morris McWilliams. She grew up in the Ranch Branch community. Loma attended Mason schools and graduated from Mason High School.
She married Jimmy Schooley on March 20, 1965. They made their home in Fredonia, Texas where they farmed peanuts and ranched together for many, many years. They were blessed with three children: Laurie, Steve and Pattie.
Loma was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. She cherished her family and was always there for each of them. No matter what was going on her family came first.
Loma never met a stranger. She had a way of making everyone feel as if you had been friends forever. She greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word. Loma loved a challenge and there was never a job to big that she couldn't handle.
As a young girl, Loma and her family went to many singings around the area. When Loma and sister, Linda were young ladies, they were approached to sing with Jim Reeves. Loma had a love for music and a beautiful, strong alto voice.
Loma and Jimmy farmed peanuts for many years working side by side. When the peanut subsidy was lost, the two set out on a new venture with their son, Steve. Loma, Jimmy and Steve opened Schooley Saddlery and Western Wear in Mason. They operated the western store for10 years.
The last couple of years, Loma and Jimmy struck out on the adventure of their lifetime! The two, purchased a travel trailer and headed to South & West Texas to work as gate guards in the oilfield. They had many, many exciting stories to tell of people they met, things they saw and all that they encountered. Loma became a second Mom to a lot of the oilfield workers. She baked and cooked treats for them to send to the rig so they would have something special to eat. That was just her way of doing for others she cared about.
Her three children all attended Tarleton State University and while in college, Loma would cook during finals each semester for all their friends and neighbors. Once the meal was over, she was included in a couple of quick games of Spades and then she would spend the rest of her time studying with those who needed help. She was given the name, Momma Loma by many of these students that she helped during this time. To this day, many lovingly refer to her as Momma Loma.
Loma enjoyed cooking and entertaining. She was an exceptional cook and loved to share her delicious treats with many. Loma was lovingly referred to as the "Paula Deen" of her family. Even after breaking her arm and her diagnosis with cancer, she and Jimmy cooked treats for staff at her doctor's offices.
Loma had an open door policy for anyone who needed it. Loma and Jimmy welcomed Kerry Peterson into their home while he was in high school. He lived with Loma and Jimmy and the kids for 6 years. Kerry became a part of their family. He has always been loved by them as a son and a brother. Marjan Meibos, an exchange student from the Netherlands, also lived with Jimmy and Loma. Once Marjan returned back to the Netherlands, she called one day and told Loma, "There were many rules, expectations and curfews when I lived with you, but looking back now I realize all of that was because you loved me."
Loma passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016 at her home in Mason, Texas.
Loma was preceeded in death by her parents, Tom & Nettie McWilliams, sister, Charlotte Matthews and brother in law, Roger Phillips.
Survivors include her husband Jimmy of Mason, her children Laurie Schooley Woerner and husband Gregg of Brady, Steve Schooley and wife Marla of Mason, and Pattie Schooley Allen and husband Joel of Mason, sisters Linda Phillips and husband Douglas of Mason, Tommye Phillips of Menard, and brother in law Gene Matthews of Brady, sister in law Dodie Williams and husband Charles of Burnet, grandchildren Zack McGinn and wife Rachel, Shayna Myrick, Hawkins Allen and Shelby Allen, an "adopted" son Kerry Peterson and wife Cheryl of Shiner and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two very special ladies: lifelong friend Carolyn Pylant and dear friend Amanda McMillan who gave this family hope, when hope was all they had.
Services will be held at Mason Funeral Home on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation with the family will be held at Mason Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Pallbearers are Don Baxter, Keith Higdon, Dane Phillips, Ricky McWilliams, Scott McMillan, and Charlie Grosse. Honorary Pallbearers are Buzzy Harper, Todd Martin and Kerry Peterson.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Deleon and Staff, Country Home Health (Misty, Melissa, Hope & Jana), Hill Country Memorial Hospice (Debbie, Kami, Anna, Mina, Adrian & Kelley), friends and family who offered love, support, prayers and food.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Mason County Cancer Benefit, Wagram Cemetery Working Fund or charity of your choice.