Mary Sue Wellman

Mary Sue Wellman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend unexpectedly passed from this life on February 6, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, James Angus Ellard, William Grey Ellard, George Calvin Ellard, Robert Marshal Ellard, her sister, Martha Jane Averette and son, William Neal Wellman. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Allen Ellard (Sherrian) and a close family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sue was born on June 4, 1941, to parents Angus and Onie Grey Rountree Ellard. She moved to Birmingham, AL as a young woman with many gifts and talents from her early childhood to start a new life. It was also in Birmingham where she married Charles Alexander Wellman (Buddy) who survives her today, her husband of 59 years. It was also in Birmingham that Sue established a life that was energetically dedicated to family, community and faith.

She enjoyed an active membership at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church for many years, where she served on the Chancel Guild and dedicated innumerable hours of service to church programs and committees, always making the church more beautiful. Sue was also an energetic and active member of PEO Chapter B, which provides access to higher education for women, where she served in many leadership capacities for over 50 years.

Sue was the mother of Mary Suzanne Wellman Cook (William Ralph, Jr.), Charles Alexander Wellman, III (Paula Whitaker) and Alexander Grey Wellman (Jennifer Robinson), all of Birmingham, AL. Her greatest joy in life was to be the most beloved SuSu of her seven grandchildren, Mary Palmer Cook Rosenau (Lt. Cdr. Tyler Matthew), Anne Grey Cook, William Ralph Cook III, Charles Alexander Wellman, IV, William Neal Wellman, II, William Alexander Wellman and Katherine Grey Wellman.

She was utterly devoted to her family and was almost always in the middle of planning something memorable for her children or grandchildren. She knew the favorite foods of each family member and made birthdays so special with dinners and parties. She could usually be found making our surroundings beautiful, whether she was sewing a precious dress, gardening, or arranging flowers. Sue was always working to bring people close, using her wit and poise to make them feel special while serving her church and community. She will be dearly missed by so many.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 13th at 11am at Elmwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2pm at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, 3405 Brookwood Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sue’s memory to Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Alabama, 3500 Blue Lake Drive #225, Birmingham, AL 35243