Evelyn Lea Wells

“Bye for now” – sincere words always spoken by Evelyn Lea Lanier Wells, 95, at the end of phone conversations or parting and waving goodbye after a visit.  Evelyn was born September 24, 1926, and passed to her heavenly home on September 1, 2022.   Her earlier years were spent in Duplin and Pender Counties.  Her parents, Brantley James Lanier and Bonnie Murray Lanier, are deceased.  Her mother died when Evelyn was 14. Evelyn became the glue of the family along with the help of her two older brothers.  She was third in the birth order after Murray Lanier (deceased), Allen Lanier (deceased), Inez Lanier Rivenbark of Wallace, Gladys Lanier Hutchins of Winston-Salem, Donald Stephen Lanier of Gastonia, and Shirley Lanier Simms (deceased).

In July 1945 Evelyn married Delmer Wells of Burgaw, NC.  Together they shared the responsibilities of raising her siblings.  Delmer passed away in 2013. They were married 68 years leaving a wonderful legacy for their five children: Brenda Wells Sholar (husband, Dr. Al M. Sholar), Delmer Stephen Wells, Dr. Kenneth Wayne Wells (wife, Dr. Donna Stout Wells), David Brent Wells, deceased (wife, Lidie North Wells) and Jeffery Scott Wells.  She was a guiding force in the life of her grandchildren: Angela Sholar (Joyner)Battle and husband Cleveland, Melanie Sholar Dayer and husband Jim, Lex Sholar, Meredith Wells Bowers and husband Craig, Taylor Wells and wife Jackie, Gracie Wells Johnson and husband Stephen.  She was blessed with great grandchildren: Matthew Battle, Trent Joyner and wife Courtney, Cleveland Battle Jr., Sierra Joyner and husband Tim, Jimmy Dayer, Cameron Johnson, and Van Johnson.  Braeden Ellis and McKenzie Ellis.   Evelyn was a member of Winter Park Baptist Church for 62 years. She assisted in the Nursey, enjoyed her Sunday School Class, Circle, and Tuesday Lunch and Learn.  She was faithful to her God and tried to live her life as a witness.

Evelyn was an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities in Wilmington.  Scott’s disabilities required many hours of care and advocacy in his younger years.  As Scott reached adulthood, Delmer and Evelyn became concerned about Scott’s future living arrangements.  They, along with parents of other adults with developmental disabilities, were instrumental in establishing two group homes for adults known as Cape Fear Group Homes.  Evelyn also served on the board for the Tabb Mansion Trust, a trust set up in 1983 to assist developmentally disabled adults in leading a normal life. To honor her desire to support this underserved population of adults, the family requests that memorials be sent to Cape Fear Group Homes, P.O. Box 4203, Wilmington, NC 28406.

Evelyn was an avid reader and loved to travel. For many years, she and Delmer enjoyed traveling coast to coast in their motor home. Evelyn planned the trips, choosing routes to visit relatives and historical sites along the way.  She and Delmer enjoyed being members of Hanover Seaside Club at Wrightsville Beach, participating in events with the Wilmington Optimist Club and the breakfast group for many years which met at a local eatery.  She always enjoyed family gatherings and talking with her and Delmer’s siblings about their pasts.  Her reputation for enjoying “sweets” is legendary in the family circle.  She was spirited – one-line zingers which were witty, e.g. “I don’t care what they serve for the meal, just serve a good dessert”.  She always looked for the best in people and expected no less from her family.

Evelyn and Delmer were “pioneers in Pine Valley” where she resided for 61 years until moving to Kempton Assisted Living.  The family expresses sincere appreciation and gratitude for the care Evelyn received from the Kempton staff and administration, especially during the last seven months.  Liberty Hospice provided excellent care and guidance to the family as her health declined.  Those of us who loved her and those whom she loved are saddened by her death and thankful for the influence she had on our lives.  “Bye for now” is a testimony of her faith that we will be together again.

The service for Evelyn will be 11:00, Thursday, September 8^th at Winter Park Baptist Church, 4700 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC.    Interment will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens.  Dr. Al Sholar will officiate.