Reverend Owen Smith Wells, 82, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, February 19, 2009. He made his departure from this world at his home on the New Lewisburg Hwy. His battle with cancer ended in victory as he now rests peacefully in the arms of his maker.
Services for Reverend Wells will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with the Reverends Ricky Cotton, Mike Roberts, Brian Talley and Bro. Bobby Fralix officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Tennessee Army National Guard.
The family will visit with friends on Friday from 4:00 – 9:00 P.M. and on Saturday from Noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
A Maury County native, he was born September 23, 1926, the son of the late William Clinton Wells and Ida Lucille Brown Wells. He was the beloved husband of Eunice Arline Wells for 58 years. He was a Baptist minister in Maury County since 1961. His dedication to sharing the Gospel led him to serve as pastor to Williamsport Baptist Church, Swan Creek Baptist Church, Hampshire Baptist Church and Pine Grove Baptist Church Hickman County during his years of service. He was currently a member of Cross Bridges Baptist Church. He served 8 years in the Tennessee National Guard. During his younger years, he was well known in the farming community of Sawdust, where he lived and raised his crops, livestock and his family. He was the owner of Wells and Sons Excavating and Trucking business for a period of 10 years. He was later employed by Maury Guard at General Electric of Columbia. He was a very honorable father of 5 children. He always delighted in his children's musical talents and was a strong supporter of their musical endeavors. He was a trained pilot and enjoyed flying small aircraft. He loved horseback riding and hunting and fishing. He was an avid gun and rifle collector. In his later years he also took pleasure in woodworking and spending time on his four-wheeler and playing with his canine companion, Jack. Reverend Wells will always be remembered for his unconditional love for his family and his care and concern for others.
Survivors in addition to his wife include four sons: Billy Elaine Wells, Douglas Diane Wells, Rex Wells, Zane Sharon Wells and one daughter: Penny Tom White, all of Columbia; grandchildren include Conne Randy Crook, Steven Wells, Jason Chelsea Sealey, Tiffany Terry Roland, Kenneth Wayne Beth King, Jr., Carrissa White, Courtney Wells, Jessica Johnston and Quade Lunn; great-grandchildren include: Destiny and Bradley Morton, Lucius Sealey, Jayden Roland, Emma and James King, Chesnea and Bryleigh Wells, Sam Johnston and Alex Greer.
Active pallbearers will be Kenneth Wayne King, Jr., Steven Wells, Jason Sealey, Randy Crook, Terry Roland, Quade Lunn, Sammy McCandless and Mark Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen McCandless, Jack Craig, Buddy Smith, Ralph Sims, Ted Huntley, Bobby Chance, Bill Demastus, Jerry Pruitt, Glenn Anderson, Frank Jones and members of the Cross Bridges Baptist Church Family.
A special thanks to Dr. John Maloof, Hospice of the Highland Rim, Home Health Care Ruth Anne Pevahouse and the Cross Bridges Baptist Church Family.