Mrs. Drema McNeal

Drema Darleen McNeal, 61, of Beckley, West Virginia, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, September 21, 2024. She was born on August 5, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Cool Ridge, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Donzie and Twila Edwards.

Drema graduated from Shady Spring High School in 1981 and went on to graduate from Concord University in 1987. She completed her Master’s +45 at WVU in 1992. Her journey to becoming a teacher began as a gymnastics coach at Beckley Gymnastics, where her boss and best friend, Beverly Sanna, recognized her natural gift for teaching and encouraging children. Beverly encouraged Drema to switch her major to Education. Drema taught and touched thousands of lives in Raleigh County Public Schools. She was a National Board Certified teacher and was honored as the West Virginia State Teacher of the Year in 2011.

Drema authored two educational articles published by The Parent Institute - Family Involvement and won 1st place at the 2007 West Virginia Writer’s Convention for a non-fiction piece titled Making a Difference One Child at a Time. She was also an award-winning published author of two children’s books: Kyle’s Colorful Life and Jake Learns All 8 Parts of Speech. Beyond her wildly successful career, Drema was always volunteering in the community, especially in the church. She served for years as a youth group worker, as well as a children’s church worker in recent years. She was a dedicated prayer warrior on the prayer team and addiction prayer team, and a mentor to many both in and out of the church.

Drema was a member of the Raleigh County Bee Association and a beekeeper alongside her husband. She made wonderful products under the name Bee Healthy, using beeswax and herbs (she had an impressive green thumb, always growing her own herbs and making her own teas and infused healing oils). Drema meant so much to so many people. She was an incredible daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, teacher, and mentor. She loved her family more than anything (other than the Lord) and was the ultimate caregiver and nurturer to all of us. To say she will be greatly missed is an understatement. To know her was to love her.

Drema was preceded in death by her beloved parents and mother-in-law, Janet Lee McNeal.

She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Billy Madison McNeal; two daughters, Ashley Nicole Frye and her husband, Jason, and Emilee Madison Baughan and her husband, Derek.

She was the most amazing Nana to her three favorite girls, Thea Quinn Frye, Sage Willow Frye, and her newest baby, Everlee Madison Baughan.

Drema is also survived by her siblings, Tina Coleman and her husband, Jay, Vickie Shrewsberry and her husband, Butch, Sharon Burke and her husband, James, and Donzie Jr. Edwards and his wife, Kelly.

She had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends she considered family, all of whom she loved dearly.

Services will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Faith Community Church in Beckley, WV. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the service starting at 12 p.m.

For those wishing to send flowers, they may be sent to Faith Community Church at 299 Grey Flats Road, Beckley, WV 25801.