Lois Marie Wells
(February 21, 1947 - January 23, 2021)

Lois Marie Wells

   73, passed away on January 23, 2021 in Annapolis, Maryland.  Lois was born on February 21, 1947 and was a proud native of Cinderella in Mingo County, West Virginia.  In her own words, she lived a good life and was not afraid of death.  In reliance on her strong faith she was excited to be welcomed into Heaven by her father, Paul Dotson Sr., her mother, Geraldine Cox, her beloved youngest son Tim, and a whole host of siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws, and dear friends.  She truly longed to see them all again.

   Lois is survived by numerous siblings and close relations.  She cherished and loved them all deeply, especially her closest relationships with her sisters Debraha Watson and Alicia Dotson, her brother Paul Dotson, Jr. and his wife China, and her nephew Jerome Wells.  She was a steadfast and trusted friend to many.  While those she thought fondly of and held warmly in her heart are too numerous to mention in this space by name, but no accounting of her life could omit her Liberty High School teachers and 1965 Classmates; her Cabell-Huntington Hospital co-workers; her friends from the Annapolis Senior Center; her bonus child and dear friend Barbara Wells, and all of Tim’s friends who graciously served as loyal and loving surrogates until her last days, especially Scottie Hornbuckle and Susan Breece.  Her faith in God was real and throughout her life she was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Williamson, WV where she taught many children Sunday School; First Baptist Church in Huntington, WV; and had a special relationship with Heritage Baptist Church, especially Reverend Green, in Annapolis, MD.

   Above all, anyone who knew her clearly understood that without question her highest calling and purpose in life was her role as a Mother.  Lois Wells served in that role with excellence and distinction for over 53 years without a moments interruption.  Her unyielding and everlasting commitment, sacrifice, strength, and love will live on and remain on display in her surviving sons, Donald (Michelle) of Columbus, OH and Robert (Robbie) of Annapolis, MD, and her four grandchildren, whom she loved and enjoyed beyond imagination: Jalen, Paige, Sophia, and Alex.    

   Lois Wells was a hard worker her entire life.  She held jobs to support herself and then her family from the time she was 13 years old.  She was willing and proud to do any honest work to provide whatever was necessary and at various times she was a housekeeper, a preschool teacher, a county extension officer assisting families in need, and a store clerk.  Ultimately she found her life’s professional work as a dietary aid at Cabell Huntington Hospital where she retired after over 30 years of loyal service.  She was a frugal and serious woman by nature and had an unusually strong sense of responsibility and accountability.  She did not tolerate waste, laziness, or false flattery of any kind.      

   But she was not all work and certainly enjoyed many of life’s pleasures.  She was a proud alumnae of Liberty High School, one of West Virginia’s last all-Black schools.  She attended every Liberty reunion without fail, and most recently was honored to serve as President of the Reunion Committee.  While living in Huntington she regularly hosted holiday parties for her co-workers and friends and continued that tradition when she re-settled in Maryland.  She enjoyed cooking and especially making homemade chocolates and hard candy at Christmas which she always generously shared.  Between her sons and grandchildren she tolerated being a spectator at hundreds of athletic events and most enjoyed faithfully attending all other school functions, including PTA meetings, plays, recitals, Grandfriends’ Days, and graduations.  She really loved to travel taking trips with family and friends all over the world, including cruises with her dearest friends from the Liberty High School Class of ’65 which she especially enjoyed.

   Those who know her will not be at all surprised that in her writings she left behind a message of gratitude and instructions for us all at the time of her death: “If you have touched my life or my children’s lives I thank you. Please don’t cry or worry because I have a host of people to be with now. Think of me and try to find a reason to laugh.”      

   Visitors are invited to join the family on Sunday, January 31 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a visitation period at Ferrell-Chambers Funeral Home, 924 20th Street, Huntington, WV and Monday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Huntington, WV, for the celebration of Lois’ life with Pastor John Porter officiating. Burial will take place immediately following at Springhill Cemetery, Huntington, WV.  While the family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support it has received, they also understand that there are those who are not comfortable attending public services at this time due to the ongoing public health emergency and we know that they will celebrate Lois’ rich life in their own way.  For those who do plan to attend, please wear face coverings and practice safe social distancing measures during the visitation and funeral.