Ruth Wells

MARSHALL, Texas -- Ruth Jean Smith Wells -- Jean, as she was known to her family and friends -- 92, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at the home of her daughter in Marshall. Texas had been home for the past three years. She was born near Benton, Missouri, Dec. 24, 1929, to Jake B. and Pansy Lane Smith.

She attended school in Blodgett, Missouri, and graduated in 1947 at Morley (Missouri) High School. She was member of Morley Baptist Church. On Jan. 29, 1947, she married Owen "Red" Wells Jr. of Benton at Morley Baptist Church. They lived in Lambert, Missouri, and later moved to Morley. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Jean worked at Ralph Edwards Sportswear and Thorngate Ltd., in Cape Girardeau and did sewing and alterations at her shop at Benton. She enjoyed being with her family, sewing, gardening and canning. She loved to sing and had an outstanding voice.

Jean is survived by daughters, Carolyn Wells Stumpf of Marshal, Marilyn Wells Brando of Angleton, Texas, and Sherilyn Wells Burger of Morley; son, Owen Dudley (Doug) Wells III of Morley; two sisters, Mary Ann Phillips of Morley and Lillian Milam of Jonesboro, Illinois; eight grandchildren, William (Jamie) Kluesner, Jeremy J. Kluesner, Christopher J. Tuey, Kristina D. Tuey, Jennifer L. Burger, Charles J. Wells, Owen Dudley Wells IV and Ryan Wells; 16 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Red, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John Earl Smith and Henry U. Smith, and two sisters, Wanda May Penrose and Shirley Jo Smith.

Jean will be laid to rest at a later date with graveside services at the Hickory Grove Cemetery on County Road 408 between Morley and Benton.