In Loving Memory of Sue Ellen Oceana, West Virginia
The Wyoming County community is grieving deeply following heartbreaking news that has shaken families, students, and educators alike. On Thursday morning, Glen Fork Elementary and Middle Schools dismissed students early at 12:00 p.m. after receiving tragic news affecting the community. While school officials did not immediately release details, authorities have confirmed that two lives were lost in a house fire just outside of Oceana earlier that morning. Among those taken far too soon was Sue Ellen and Her Son Easton Workman, whose passing has brought profound sorrow to all who knew and loved her.
Sue Ellen was more than a name in the community—she was a presence. A warm smile, a gentle voice, a steady and loving soul who cared deeply for others. Whether she was supporting a neighbor, taking care of family, or simply brightening someone’s day with a kind word, Sue Ellen carried a quiet grace that touched many lives in ways that cannot be measured. Her compassion, sincerity, and kindness invited others to feel safe, welcomed, and valued.
The loss of Sue Ellen has created a painful void. For her family, the grief is immeasurable. They not only lost a loved one, but a source of strength, humor, affection, and warmth. For friends and neighbors, her absence creates an emptiness that echoes through conversations, familiar spaces, and daily routines. And for the many in the larger community who may not have known her personally, her loss is still felt through the shared sense of heartbreak that now settles over Oceana and its surrounding areas.
In response to the tragedy, Glen Fork Elementary and Middle Schools made the compassionate decision to release students early, acknowledging the impact that loss can have on young hearts and minds. Counselors will be made available for students and staff — a reminder that grief is not carried alone. Schools are more than buildings; they are emotional communities. And in this moment, that community is holding one another close.
House fires are sudden, unexpected, and deeply tragic. They leave little time to react, and often much time to mourn. The weight of such a loss is heavy, and the road forward will require patience, love, and support. As investigators continue their work and more details become known, it is the memories — not the circumstances — that those who loved Sue Ellen will hold onto.
They will remember her laughter.
Her kindness.
Her gentle way of loving people in quiet, powerful ways.
Her ability to make others feel seen.
Her heart — the kind that gives without hesitation.
As the community gathers in shared grief, there is also shared love — for Sue Ellen, for her family, for one another. The coming days will be filled with tears, shared stories, embraces, candlelight, and prayers. Healing will not be quick, but it will begin — slowly, softly, and together.
To Sue Ellen:
Your life was a gift.
Your love was felt.
And your memory will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew you.
May you rest in eternal peace.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten.
