Mary Eunice Wells

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Mrs. Mary Eunice Wells died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2012, at the age of 99 years, 7 months 26 days. Eunice was born May 7, 1913, in Drew County, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Joseph Edwards and Myra Arduengo Edwards, and had three brothers and three sisters.

Mrs. Wells attended the Jones School in Drew County; a one room school house containing grades 1-7. She finished high school at the Agricultural School there and later attended Monticello A and M, now the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She also attended ASU in Jonesboro, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. Eunice's teaching career spanned more than three decades. Her first teaching job was a Shady Bend in Mississippi County. She also taught at Victoria and finished her teaching career in the Osceola Public Schools. Mrs. Wells taught most of the elementary grades at one time or another and was serving as school librarian/media specialist when she retired in 1974.

Following her retirement she became very active in the Osceola Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where she was recognized in 1998 for 26 years of service. She particularly enjoyed working in the Gift Shop and making quilts for new babies. Mrs. Wells was one of the founders of Calvary Baptist Church. She was a wonderful Bible scholar and taught classes for many years. She also wrote inspirational articles for her church newsletter. Her lifelong love of history was expressed in a book she co-authored with her sister for their descendants. This is a delightful book telling of their life in rural Arkansas and the games, songs, etc., that they enjoyed as children. Mrs. Wells also wrote articles about early life in Mississippi County for the Osceola Historical Society.

Eunice was preceded in death by her husband, Russell William "Pete" Wells; and one daughter, Martha Sue Wells; as well as her parents; three brothers and three sisters.

She will be lovingly missed by her five sons, Russell Edward "Pete" (and Sissy) Wells of Norfork, Joseph Douglas (and Lola) Wells of Manila, Benjamin Harold (and Lynda) Wells and James Donald (and Shirley) Wells of Osceola and Gerald Wells of Little Rock;

Her nine grandchildren, Doug (and Michele) Wells of Lyman Main, Vernon (and Judy) Wells of Flippin, Kellie Wells Bomar of Little Rock, Joe Douglass Wells of Key West, Fla., Cary Wells of Jackson, Tenn., Beth Wells (and Steve) Profeta of Plano, Texas, and Lana Wells (and Michael) Bill of White Oak, Pa., Victoria Wells (and Glenn) Gross and Amanda Wells of Little Rock;

Mrs. Wells is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Calvary Baptist Church in Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Mississippi County Memorial Gardens. An online guest book is available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com