Lois S. Encarnacion's Obituary
On November 13, 1932 in Henderson County (Chandler), Texas, William Ross Lee and Lorene (Lemons) Lee were blessed with a wonderful baby girl. They named her Lois Sandra Lee. Lois spent her formative years in Tyler, Texas, and it was there that her lifelong educational pursuits began; education was of optimum importance in the Lee family. Lois attended Saint Louis Elementary and Jr. High School. Subsequently, she completed her primary education at Emmett Scott High School in less than 2 years, where she was salutatorian (second) of her class. She received a scholarship and enrolled at Butler College one month shy of her 17th birthday. Lois has a Bachelor of Science degree, attained in 2 years from Butler College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts, obtained primarily by attending classes in the summer at Western Washington University. Her grad work was performed at University of Puget Sound, University of Washington, Central Washington State University, Pacific University and Evergreen State University. Lois was born into a family of preachers and teachers, so it is not surprising that she specialized in both of these callings. These professions were not jobs; they were her life's missions. God blessed Lois and Ardie Lee Warren Sr. with their oldest son, Ardie Lee Warren Jr., on January 8, 1951. Ardie Sr. joined the United States Army and was stationed away from home. Lois and Jr. lived with her parents until she secured her first teaching job in Coffeeville, Mississippi. Initially Ardie Jr. stayed in Tyler, Texas with his grandparents while Lois worked, but as soon as he was old enough to attend school he joined his mother in Coffeeville. In 1960 the family moved to Tacoma, Washington when Ardie Sr. was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. On May 29th, 1961 their second child AnTony Ross Warren was born. Shortly thereafter, Ardie Sr. and Lois dissolved their marriage. She immediately had to find a job to support her family. First she became a substitute teacher with the Tacoma School District. Needing something more permanent, she accepted a job with the White River School District teaching severely and mildly mentally disabled children at Rainier School. She had such a special gift in this area that she initially became a counselor, then the Director of Camp Easter Seals on Orcas Island. While working at Rainier School, Lois met the love of her life. What began as a blind date with Emilio Encarnacion turned into a life shared by two that most everyone else could only dream, or wish, for. The first church home for this couple was St. John Baptist Church. Their pastor was Reverend J. A. Boles. Together, they made one of the most incredible transformations ever. Brother and Sister Encarnacion went from throwing some of the best Tupperware and lingerie parties to advocating for Jesus Christ like there was no tomorrow. They jumped into serving God whole-heartedly and have never looked back. She played piano for the Senior Choir, was a deaconess, and served on many church auxiliary boards. When Emilio was called to preach, she followed dutifully, eventually settling in as the first lady of Vocational First Baptist Church. Because God saw fit to place her in this position, she was able to become a mentor, sister, and lifelong friend to many church and community leaders throughout the city, state and country. In the early 70's she accepted a permanent position with Tacoma School District. She taught special education, and for a significant time span was recognized as the best special education teacher in western Washington. We often joked about our desire to meet this person east of the mountains that the state considered to be number one. Most of Lois' years in the district were spent at Mary Lyon Elementary, where she taught Special Ed. and for a time served as Vice- Principal. It was during her time at Mary Lyon that Lois developed a passion for writing. One book she wrote, to teach first time readers how to read, was "Ray and the Glove," a book based on her nephew Sugar Ray Seales, a 1972 Olympic gold medalist. She also wrote 5 black history plays. One year the school district used one of her plays to teach diversity to teachers. The teachers used role reversal, with the teachers performing from points-of-view that represented races different from their own. In 1995, given the lack of quality, factual, and easy-to-perform plays available to the public, the family decided to market her plays nationally. As a result, her plays have been performed in schools as far East as Pennsylvania and as far South as her home state of Texas. Around 1990 Emilio and Lois retired from Vocational Baptist Church and on October 18th, 1992 were enrolled as Senior Soldiers of the Tacoma Corps of the Salvation Army Church. Lois was an active member of Home League. She has served as the Home league Chaplain and Secretary. Lois taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Lois was a real prayer warrior, leading and planning workshops that helped her fellow soldiers and Christian friends make prayer an utmost important part of their spiritual development. She received a great amount of joy each year when it was time for the Salvation Army Annual Home League World Services Dinner / Auction event. This was one of her babies. She worked and promoted this event continuously to make it the success it has become. Her other greatest joy was working with some of her oldest and dearest friends to make the Tacoma Ministerial wives' annual fund raiser successful. Though she developed new friends and relationships, it was important for her not to forget where her journey began and those that were a part of it. Though her health might have suffered in these last few years, her faith never wavered; not one single inch. She is loved and she will be deeply missed. Waiting for Lois at her time of promotion are her mother and father, Lorene (MaMa Sug) and William (Daddy William), along with her sister and brother, Ernastein and Wilbur. For those who truly love Lois, affectionately known as Mu'Dear to some, we know we will see her again. We know she is helping to prepare a place for her husband Emilio, sons Ardie and Tony (Traci), grandsons and Marques, Randall (Katie), great-grand children Havana and Randall Jr., God-children Frank Dearmon and Levette (Anthony) D. Boles, nieces and nephews as well as a host of adopted children and loyal and devoted friends. Services for Mrs. Encarnacion will be held on Thursday, July 8th, at 11:00 a.m., at the Salvation Army Church 1110 So. Puget Sound Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405. There will be a viewing on Wednesday evening, July 7th, from 6pm -9pm at Mt. View Funeral Home 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. Lakewood, WA 98499. Community mass choir rehearsal for the service will be on Tuesday, July 6th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Lois?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lois?
Share a story where Lois' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lois you’ll never forget.
How did Lois make you smile?