Betty Wells

Betty Jo (Manning) Wells, age 97, passed on to her Heavenly home on, Friday, January 19, 2024.  She was born on April 30, 1926 in Chico, Texas to the late Eskell Orbra “Eck” Manning and Ottie Lucille (nee Batchelor) Manning.

On March 2, 1946, Betty married the love her life, Jasper Dale Wells from Jermyn, Texas. After 65 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on April 10, 2011.

After moving to Graham in 1949, Betty immediately joined the First Baptist Church where she was a member for 75 years and an active volunteer until illness interrupted her service. 

For most of Betty’s life, she was a housewife and a stay-at-home mom.  Her home was very important to Betty and she was heard saying many times that she enjoyed every stage of her children’s growing up years.  During the years of being an empty nester, Betty worked for Pauline’s Dress Shop in sales and bookkeeper and at Newton’s Jewelry Store. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Wells & Gilbert Co, and Wells & Wells Co. She was a member of the Graham Country Club, the First Baptist’s YOHA, and the Texas Delta Lambda Laureate Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Betty is survived by three of her four children: son, Hugh Ronald “Ronnie” Wells, and wife, Pauline; daughter, Shari Lynn Hettesheimer and partner, Dr. James K. Ellis; son, Brad Alan Wells and wife, Alisen.  She is also survived by nine of her ten grandchildren: Dianna (Doug) Hadley, Angela (Andre) Sison, Todd (Jennie) Thompson, Kymberli (Mike) Smith, Trevor (Angelae) Thompson, Derek (Renee) Davidson, Dustin Davidson, Jack Wells & Jasper Wells; sixteen of her seventeen great grandchildren: Meredith (Garrett) Prossner, Julia Hadley, Gavin, Garrick & Garrison Sison, Paxton & Tanner Thompson, Amanda, Cody & Frankie Hickman, Aralyn Smith, Alexus, Kam & Aurora Thompson; Brenden & Lainey Davidson; and, three great-great grandchildren: Myla & Jayden Keiser and Hallie Prossner; her sister-in-law, Hedy Brooks, many nieces/nephews, extended family and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Leroy Manning (1997) and Bill Manning (2016); Daughter, Deborah Jo Davidson (2023); Granddaughter, Kelli Thompson Hickman (2017); and Great Grandson, Jacob Hickman (2019).

The Wells family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Barbara Warren McCord for her kind and continuing support to Betty and the family and to the many nurses, med-techs, aides, and staff of Elison’s Assisted Living facility, Beyond Faith and Beyond Faith Hospice. They were compassionate and attentive of all Betty’s and the family’s needs.  A special thank you to Chandra aka Lil’ Bit for her loving care as she patiently applied Betty’s skin care and make up; understanding, how very important it was to Betty to always look her best.

A memorial service and a celebration of life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Graham at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024. Friends can meet with the family from 10 a.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Pioneer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Virginia’s House, 729 Elm Street, Graham, Texas or the charity of your choice.