Ruth Evelyn Streeter Wells

Ruth was born to W.E. and Berthel (Ramage) Streeter on May 21, 1933, in Evadale, Arkansas. As the daughter of a tenant farmer, she moved a lot during her childhood, living in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri. She graduated valedictorian of her class from Shawnee High School in Joiner, Arkansas in 1951.

Ruth went on to attend the University of Mississippi where she was the only female in her class of 119 in the School of Pharmacy. In her junior year, her class nominated her as one of four candidates for the title of Miss Ole Miss. During her time at the Ole Miss, she was a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association (student branch), Gamma Sigma Epsilon (a co-ed chemical fraternity), Rho Chi Society (national honor society for pharmacy), served as the secretary and treasurer for the “Pill and Tile,” and was a member of Kappa Epsilon, a national society for women pharmacists. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1955.

After graduation, she worked at Jackson General Hospital in Jackson, TN, where she met her husband, Van Henry Wells, who later became a physician specializing in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

Dr. and Mrs. Wells moved to Memphis, TN, in 1958. Ruth worked in several different pharmacies including at The John Gaston Hospital, Katz Drugstore, and Methodist Central Hospital. She also taught briefly at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. She retired from active pharmacy practice in 1971 to be a wife, mother of five, and homemaker. She did not return to active pharmacy practice, but maintained an active license for many years.

Dr. and Mrs. Wells had six children during their marriage of almost fifty-seven years, Mark Streeter Wells, MD (deceased), Kirk Oren Wells, DDS, Chris Alan Wells, RPh (deceased), Kevin Lee Wells, RPh, David Keith Wells, and Ruth Lyn Wells, Pharm.D.

While taking care of her family, Ruth enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and reading. She also loved being able to be a part of the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family asks that memorials be sent either to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis or The Alzheimer’s Association.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 5-8PM in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11 am at Liberty Cemetery in Bethel Springs, TN

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Wells family.