Obituary of Lois Elaine Ream

According to Benjamin Franklin, "Well done is better than well said." His words epitomized the life of Lois Elaine Bowser Ream. She was born August 8, 1930 near Terra Alta, West Virginia, the only child of Pansy O. Sisler Bowser and Dewey W. Bowser, two hard working people from whom she learned tenacity, perseverance, integrity, and joy. Elaine believed in always doing her best and showing up every day. As a child growing up on a farm in rural West Virginia, she loved school. She recalled riding the family's draft horses to school with her father through snow "up to the horse's bellies," but she seldom, if ever, missed a day. A straight A student, her excellent grades in Latin resulted in her being invited to work for Mr. Everhart, an attorney in Kingwood, WV. She had a penchant for math, as was revealed when she tested out of her college accounting class with a score of ninety-nine percent. Her aptitude in math led to an accounting career, and her extensive work history included Maryland Motor Freight in Baltimore, Maryland and Leighton Brothers Buick in Oakland, Md. The General Motors Corporation awarded her numerous honors for her meticulous work. Eventually, she went to work at Southern High School as an accountant and continued there until her retirement. She was devoted to her two children, daughter Dale Sue and son Darren, and sacrificed to give them every possible advantage. Many an evening was spent cheering her son on at Little League games in Oakland and Terra Alta and holding horses for her daughter at horse shows throughout the region. Upon retirement, she moved to Belleview, Florida, with her Wonder Dog, Schatzie, a miniature dachshund. There she learned to paint, play the organ and golf. She enjoyed plants, antiques, Sudoku, talking on the phone with friends and attending performances at the Ocala Civic Theatre. She spent the last year of her life with her daughter and son-in-law at her apartment on their farm, where she monitored the movements of the horses, spoiled the dogs, and designed projects to spruce up the place. This earned her the moniker of "ranch boss," which she relished. She entertained her son-in-law with her quick wit and good cookin'. As one of the first lady members of the Oakland Elks, Elaine retained her membership throughout her life. She attended Ascension Lutheran Church in Ocala, Florida. She died July 24, 2016 and was preceded in death by her parents and son. Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Dale Sue and Ken Wade of Ocala, Florida, and grandsons, Kenny Wade, Ocala, FL, and Dylan Sisler of Newport, North Carolina. Friends and family will be received at the Arthur H. Wright Funeral Home in Terra Alta, WV on Sunday, July 31st at 1:00 PM with a brief memorial service at 2:00PM with Rev. Larry Anderson officiating followed by interment in the Terra Alta cemetery.