Cover photo for Evelyn Eloise Wells's Obituary
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1930 Evelyn 2021

Evelyn Eloise Wells

May 25, 1930 — April 16, 2021

Brandon, MS

Evelyn Eloise White Wells

(May 25, 1930 – April 16, 2021)

Evelyn Eloise White Wells, daughter of Elizabeth Smith White and Weldon S. White, was born in Rome, MS, on May 25, 1930.  She passed away on April 16, 2021, at the age of 90.

Evelyn was the oldest of four children.  She married John Pierce Wells, and together they had four children: Kaye Wells Stowell, John Pierce Wells, Jr. (Johnny), Cynthia Ann Wells Puckett (Cindy), and Stephanie Elaine Wells Foster.

Evelyn grew up in Sumner, MS.  She graduated from West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, MS, and she was very proud of this achievement. Evelyn had to work to earn the money to pay for her school textbooks, and this was one of many examples of her matchless work ethic. One of Evelyn’s fondest high school memories was playing basketball, having played the position of forward.

After graduation, Evelyn worked for the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company as a telephone operator.  Local school children often called the phone company while Evelyn was on duty so that she could help them with their homework, particularly math.  During this time, Evelyn received special commendation for her heroic action of rendering lifesaving assistance to a young boy with a severe injury.  Evelyn and another phone operator were able to call neighbors to assist the young man and worked to hasten the arrival of a physician onto the scene.

Though they had briefly known each other previously, it was through Evelyn’s work as a telephone operator that she met and married her husband, John, who also worked for the phone company.  After marriage, Evelyn was a homemaker for many years.  She volunteered as a classroom reading tutor and made contributions to many school and church activities and functions.  Evelyn participated in various fundraising activities and had a great devotion to donating to causes for people less fortunate than she.  Kids, neighbors and teens alike were known to congregate at Evelyn’s house for her sought-after cooking and enjoyable company. Even the “paper boy” who delivered her daily newspaper asked that she not submit payment through the mail so that he could collect payments in person and have regular opportunities to visit. Evelyn was a neighborhood favorite, and her neighbors affectionately referred to her as “Wells.”

Evelyn was raised in the Baptist church but became a Methodist when she married John.  She and John raised their kids in the church and faithfully attended Epworth United Methodist Church in Jackson, MS, for many years. After becoming a widow, Evelyn worked in the Epworth Daycare with babies and toddlers.  She was so well loved and regarded in this position that, in addition to her own grandkids, the daycare kids all called her “Mamaw.”

In later years, Evelyn moved to Brandon, MS, to be closer to her adult children.  At the time of her death, she attended Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church.  Faith was very important to Evelyn and in addition to church attendance, she often watched church on television and read the Bible and her Sunday School devotionals.

Evelyn loved and cherished her family.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and taking care of everyone in it.  She liked to stay busy by cooking, homemaking, tending to flowers, shopping, taking care of her dog, and visiting and caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Evelyn was generous with her love, her time, and her gifts. Just days before her death, Evelyn was still trying to bestow comfort and gifts to others.  Evelyn was a great listener, and she gave everyone her undivided attention.  She was the daughter, sister, wife, mother, mamaw, neighbor and friend everyone should be so blessed to have.  She was selfless, smart, hardworking, devoted, and dependable. She loved life, loved the Lord, and loved her family.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, John Pierce Wells; her parents, Elizabeth and Weldon White; her brother, Carl Douglas White; and, her sister, Rachel White Beard.  Evelyn leaves behind her sister, Pat White Murphree (Sis); her children, Kaye Wells Stowell (Mike), John Wells (Teresa), Cindy Wells Puckett (Tim), and Stephanie Wells Foster (Randy); her grandkids, Michael Lamar Stowell, Jr. (Abigail), William Scott Stowell, Bailey Elizabeth Eubanks (Austin), Charles Thomas Stowell (Katie), John Samuel Wells, Jennifer Wells Milner, John Austin Puckett (Kerri), Joe Austin Foster, and Kelly Wells Foster, and her great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.

Evelyn’s family is filled with gratitude for being the recipients of her unconditional love and her constant and abiding care.  She was a faithful Christian who lived a long, generous, and genuine life.  It is surely now well with Evelyn’s loving and beautiful soul.

Visitation will be held on April 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m.  A graveside service will be held later the same day at Memorial Garden Cemetery in Clarksdale, MS.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Evelyn Eloise Wells, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Ott & Lee Funeral Home - Brandon

1360 W Government St, Brandon, MS 39042

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Ott & Lee Funeral Home - Brandon

1360 W Government St, Brandon, MS 39042

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

3:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)

Memorial Garden Cemetery

2735 MS-6, Clarksdale, MS 38614

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