Mary Ann Wells, age 88, of Landover, Maryland, peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord while at home surrounded by her family on Friday, April 30, 2021. Mary was one of eight children born to Rufus and Willie Mae Brown, on May 4, 1932, in Memphis, Tennessee. Mary deeply believed in our God and his son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Even though her family at-large represent many different faiths and beliefs, she always felt that “we have so much more in common than not.” She viewed Faith in God, Love, Family, and Education as the four cornerstones of a successful life. Based on these criteria, Mary definitely enjoyed a full and fruitful life.
As a twin, which was rare in that time, she came into this world with a splash and continued to live her life in that same manner. Mary and her twin accepted Jesus Christ at the age of 10 years old. As a child, Mary was an active member of the youth choir at Macedonia Baptist Church in Memphis, where she was raised. She was always an avid reader and knew her career had to be something interesting to her. She never once thought of any career other than journalism. Mary was educated in the Memphis school system and graduated from Douglas High School, where she continued her joy of singing by participating in the glee club and served as a member of the cheerleading squad. During her high school years, she first met and ultimately married her childhood sweetheart Harold G. Nickelberry. Together they moved to the Washington D.C. area to pursue better employment and educational opportunities. From this union three children were born, Kennie Lynn, Harold Jr. and Terri Ann.
Mary was a champion of pursuing education. So much so, that she set the example and returned to school to attend college in San Francisco, California. Mary followed her lifelong passion and selected Journalism as her major. She loved the “power of words”. She enjoyed every aspect of journalism, especially the process of collecting and telling the story. Mary’s secret weapons were her ability to disarm and neutralize her subjects with her great sense of humor, outgoing personality, and that special “Mary” entrance, complete with hats, jewelry, and that beautiful Brown family smile. Mary loved reporting on the political and community issues of the day and could debate with the best of them! She even established her own tabloid newspaper, called the Teacher Connection. She treasured all her journalistic experiences and adventures. After her late second husband, Claude E. Wells, of 32 years, retired from the military, Mary also retired from journalism. They later relocated to Maryland to be closer to family. Upon Claude’s passing, Mary returned to her love of writing and served as a freelance journalist with The Washington Informer for many years.
Mary loved her family, her lifelong priority. She thoroughly liked to travel, no matter the destination, but especially to see family. She visited many countries, including Cuba and Israel. One of her most favorite non-family destinations was to Senegal, Africa; where she experienced the most moving connection to her history after her visit to Dakar to see the “Door of No Return”. Due to the losses of her siblings, she always felt a special responsibility to share with their families her memories and experiences of their loved ones. As the last surviving matriarch, she encouraged her family to stay strong, support each other and to be their best while offering solicited and sometimes unsolicited advice.
Mary was a proud active member of the Hear the Word Bible Church in Bowie, Maryland under the direction of Pastor Thomas E. Cunningham. She always looked forward to worshipping, fellowshipping, and last but certainly not least, receiving a deeper understanding and revelation of God’s word. She lived a simple, yet full life based on her favorite scripture, Nehemiah 6:3, which says “…I am doing a great work. I cannot come down.” She believed this verse carried her through raising her children, fulfilling her role as a wife and mother, completing her college degree, and staying focused on her goals. She loved the uncomplicated pleasures of life, family visits, reading newspapers, attending church, singing in choirs, eating food, laughing, dancing, and conversing and debating issues. She was known as a hat collector and would regularly be stopped by young and old alike for her style and the way she wore her hats pulled forward and tilted to the side. You could often hear them comment, “She is wearing that hat!” Mary believed that a simple life’s lesson is best captured in the Serenity Prayer, “God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference”.
The memories of Mary’s full and simple life will be cherished by her oldest daughter Kennie Lynn Ford, son Harold Gurion Nickelberry, Jr. (Kimberly), youngest daughter Terri Ann Childress (Michael), 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, not to mention a host of church members and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her siblings, Hazel, Lucy, Lola, Billy, Kenneth, Martha, Barbara and Alline and her second husband Claude E. Wells.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We, the family of Mary A. Wells, sincerely extend our heartfelt gratitude and love for all the many acts of kindness rendered during her illness and throughout our period of bereavement. The family would like to give a special thanks to Heartland Hospice for their support and care of our loved one, particularly to Sylvia, Jane and Carlena who attended to Mama personally. We would especially like to acknowledge Melodie Madison, Heartland Hospice Care Music therapist for the personalized comfort she provided through her beautiful music therapy. Music is truly a balm to the soul. Finally, the family would like to recognize and give a special thank you to Florence Alabi who provided private care for Mary as if she was her own mother.
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