Ethel May Wells

Ethel May Wells, 94, passed away on June 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. Ethel was born in Killen, AL on October 7, 1925 to Joe and Selma Trousdale. She grew up on her family’s farm with her four brothers and three sisters during the great depression. They lived off the animals they raised and the produce they grew.

Ethel met Glenn after he served our country during WWII. They were married on September 5, 1959. Soon after their wedding, in 1961, Steve was born. In 1962, 13 months later, Greg was born. Since the boys were so close in age, Ethel always said she raised twins. In 1964 they moved their family to Glendale, Arizona. Ethel was a busy homemaker taking care of her husband and two boys. She and Glenn taught their boys about the Bible and faithfully took them to church. Ethel had been a member of the Church of Christ since she was a young girl. When Ethel had grandchildren, she continued the tradition of taking a couple of her little ones to worship. She was a big influence on them. She read the Bible to them and taught them songs of praise. She always loved spending time with them. She watched them grow up to young adults and always looked forward to their visits.

In 2006 she lost her husband, the love of her life but for the next 14 years she maintained her health and independence. She even continued driving to run her errands, get her hair done and go to worship until the beginning of this year. Ethel continued going to worship for as long as she could and was disappointed when she could no longer attend. She loved and missed her church family.

Ethel was known for her mischievous sense of humor. She loved to joke and laugh with others. During the holidays, she would often claim that she and her grandchildren shouldn’t eat too much of her famous rum cake otherwise they’d become drunk. A smile and a wink would usually follow this joke, and she and her family would usually share a good chuckle. On numerous occasions she would claim to her regular banker that she “owned half of Wells-Fargo”.

Ethel was a truly devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose heart was full of love. She shared that immense love with her family as well as those around her. She will be truly missed by those fortunate to have known her.

Ethel is survived by her sons, Steve (Linda) and Greg (Debra), her five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Ethel is predeceased by her husband Glenn Wells.