Lena Grace Wells (1876 - 1974)

Born 24 Nov 1876 in Marion County, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Died 8 Apr 1974 at age 97 in Salem, Marion County, Illinois, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Eric Weddington [send private message]

Biography

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 196, No 7, p 27, July, 1974.

Lena Grace Wells, third child of Emma Brown Wells and George Clark Wells, was born Nov. 24, 1876, in the family home near Farina, Ill. She died April 8, 1974, at the age of ninety-seven at Salem, Ill.

Preceding her in death were a sister, Harriet Wells, a brother, Oscar C. Wells, and a nephew, Glenn C. Wells. Survivors include nieces, Gail Wells Alderdyce, Battle Creek, Michigan; Oma Wells Moreley, Weslaco, Texas; Elsie Wells Russell, Laguna Hills, California; and a nephew, George R. Wells, Joliet, Ill. Several great nephews and great nieces also survive.

Miss Lena, a graduate of Farina High School, attended Milton College, then took up a teaching career, a pattern set by her father and brother, and for thirteen years taught in the Farina Public Schools. Subsequently, she left the teaching field and joined her father and sister Harriet in the poultry business, her work for many years.

A lifetime member of the Farina Seventh Day Baptist Church, she served it in many areas, a few of which were as Sabbath School teacher, pianist, and church clerk. For many years, she sang in the choir and also played the viola in the church orchestra. In her youth she was active in young people's organizations, and in later years gave generously of her time in the Aid Society and to any other area where needed.

Viewing the church memorial last August was a joyful occasion for her. She stood near the monolith and read the names of her father, her brother, and her nephew Glenn, as well as her own, on the bronze plates.

When she was no longer able to maintain her own home she took up residence at the Twin Willows Nursing Center in Salem. There she entered into recreational activities and especially enjoyed the Bible discussion group. For the past several years, a regular feature of the annual Christmas program was her reciting the poem, "The Night Before Christmas," in its entirety. This she had memorized in early childhood. Her keen memory of Bible passages, especially the Psalms, was a source of great comfort to her in her later years.

Her life was one of service and dedication. She will be greatly missed. C. L. M.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXVP-4HB : 24 December 2015), Lena G Wells in household of George Wells, Meacham, Marion, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district ED 111, sheet 43C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0234; FHL microfilm 1,254,234.

• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS4V-VTW : accessed 12 June 2016), Lena G Wells in household of George C Wells, Meacham Township, Marion, Illinois, United States; citing sheet 10B, family 191, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,327.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #103021093