Arthur Nelon Wells, 89, of Madison and formerly of Jackson, died on June 2, 2019. He was born on July 25, 1929, in Lincoln County to Johnnie Eli and Eva Pauline (Haley) Wells. After graduating from Heuck’s Retreat School, Art continued his education at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College where he received his AA. During the Korean Conflict, he enlisted in the Air Force for 4 years, serving as a radio operator at Elmendorf Air Force base in Alaska, and later at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. There he met his future wife, Rosalie Carlson. Art worked many years for the U.S. Post Office in Jackson and he retired from the Veteran’s Administration where he served on the Rating Board. Later he returned to work and to volunteer at the Dominican Plaza of St. Dominics Hospital. He was a past President and member of the Leavell Woods Exchange Club of Jackson.
Art loved learning. He made it his mission to provide for the education of his daughters. Art studied the Bible. He guided his family in prayer and church activities. An active member of Alta Woods Baptist Church, he served in many capacities with young people, such as teaching Sunday School and helping with Bible Drill. After a move to Madison, he and Rosalie became members of First Baptist Madison.
Art loved his home and yard. He enjoyed planting his garden and growing his flowers. Art also loved music. He played many musical instruments including the piano, steel guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
Art loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rosalie Wells, 2 brothers, George and Steve Wells, 4 daughters, Ann Butler (Jim), Janice Milhollin, Jean Wells, and Lana Strobel (Bobby), 7 grandchildren, Michelle Renshaw (Chad), Megan Reese (Charles), Amanda Nowlin, James Butler, Haley Butler, Laura Farris (Brett), and Harrison Strobel, 2 great granddaughters, Sadie and Sasha Renshaw, cherished nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends of Heuck's Retreat, and friends in Madison and Jackson. Art was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Laverne Norwood and Maureen Richardson.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. The graveside service will follow at Heuck's Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery in Brookhaven, Mississippi beginning at 2:30 p.m.
