Barbara Jean Wells' Obituary
Barbara Jean Wells departed this life on August 31, 2024. Waiting for her in the heavenly realm is her husband of 76 years, Jack Charles Wells, who preceded her in death on April 20, 2024.
Barbara was born on March 21, 1931 in a women’s home. She was adopted three weeks later by Clara Marie Martin and moved with her to Waukomis, Oklahoma. Raised in Waukomis with three older siblings, she attended school in Waukomis and church in nearby Enid.
In 1947, she met and married the love of her life, Jack Charles Wells. Barbara and Jack moved to Tulsa in 1951 with one daughter and soon after had two more daughters and a son. Being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was her life’s calling. Barbara was a devoted mom, PTA president, booster club member, and all-around cheerleader for her children and their children.
Barbara returned to school in her mid 30s to obtain her beauty license and became a cosmetology instructor. She later owned Mimi’s Salon in Tulsa.
She and Jack moved to Dallas in 1976 where they attended and served at Prestoncrest Church of Christ. They returned to Tulsa upon his retirement in 1991. At this time, Barbara took her first art classes, and her beautiful paintings have graced homes of her loved ones ever since. Barbara was an accomplished artist- excelling in oil, acrylics, and painting ceramics.
Barbara’s artistic abilities extended to sewing. She showed off her seamstress talents by crafting handmade clothes for her three daughters and two granddaughters in their early years. She and Jack were active in their churches, Brookside Church of Christ and The Park Church. They also traveled frequently around the world chasing solar eclipses.
Barbara was an excellent cook. She loved cooking for and serving large groups of family and friends. She is known for her homemade Thanksgiving noodles that are beloved by many. She always had room at her table for anyone who needed a plate!
Barbara was able to meet her biological mother and siblings in the late 1980’s. She maintained a close friendship with them for years.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, mother Marie Martin, brothers Dwight Martin and Mervyn Martin, and sister Norene Hughes.
She is survived by her four children: Chris Gollery (Bill) of Tulsa; Paula Wells (Jill Mulder) of Mountainair, NM; Stephanie Howerton (Al) of Broken Arrow, OK; and Geoff Wells (Camille) of Dade City, FL. She will be missed by seven grandchildren: Jamie Thomas (Roger), Damon Hougland (Julie), Ryan Park, Brad Park (Becca), Jack Wells II, Matt Wells (Ashlinn), and Natalie Veilleux (Sean). She was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren: Allison Thomas (Chenin Harrison), Adam Thomas, Anna Thomas, Abbey Hunter (Max), Gibson Hougland, Gehrig Park, Declan Park, Maxwell Park, Norah Park, Brooke Veilleux, Collins Wells, with the 12th great-grandchild due in November.
Celebration of Life services will be held at Floral Haven, 6500 S 129th E Ave in Broken Arrow at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 21st, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Park Church of Christ, website: theparkchurchtulsa.org or to the Salvation Army, website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/tulsa-area-command/waystogive
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