Mary Wells

Mary Walker Wells was a caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a hardworking and talented lady who devoted herself to raising her family in a loving, yet disciplined home. She was a powerful woman of faith.

Born October 26, 1921 in Mississippi to Angela (Davis) and Anderson Walker, Mary was the fourth of eight children. The economic times were very difficult during Mary’s childhood with the Depression years lasting through most of the 1930s. Times were especially hard for people on a farm, which is where Mary spent her childhood and part of her youth. Mary’s strong work ethic was evidenced early on. Not only did she help her mother with cooking, sewing and looking after younger siblings, she tended the family garden as well. This was the start of a lifelong love of gardening, cooking and sewing.

Taking her sewing talent with her to Chicago, Illinois, Mary followed her sister and set up shop, sewing and selling clothes. While she was busy designing and selling her own clothes she did find time to go out and have fun. She met her future husband, Hollie Wells in Chicago and it wasn’t long until they got married.

Mary and Hollie started their married life on the north side of Holland, Michigan. There on the rich soil, they started their own blueberry farm at 136th and New Holland Street. Raising blueberries was not the only thing destined for the newlyweds. In 1950 and later in 1954 Mary gave birth to her two sons David and Ray. Now her days were filled with caring for her two boys as well as cooking, sewing, and gardening for her own family.

Mary used her talents at home to a high standard of excellence. She became famous for her cooking skills, especially her mouthwatering rolls which she made from scratch. Store-bought rolls were never, ever allowed in her kitchen! She raised chickens and hogs right at her home and she continued sewing well into her later years.

Mary added to her work at home by getting a job at Holland Hitch, where she worked in production for thirty years. On top of all that, she decided to clean other people’s homes for additional income, having some clients for over forty years!

Along with her devotion to her family, Mary had a strong devotion to God. She could be found on Sunday mornings sitting in her favorite pew in her “Sunday Best”. Her granddaughter could always spot grandma by finding the lady with a beautiful and high quality hat! Mary’s strong faith in God was clear right up to the end. While praying together in their room, Mary and her roommate died within an hour of each other on April 9th at Heritage Nursing Home in Zeeland.

Mary’s qualities of devotion, hard work and creativity were evident throughout her life, first in her care of her family when she was younger and later with her own children. She will be remembered for her selfless caring of others, her talents in crafts and cooking, and her powerful testimony to the love of God.

Mary died on Wednesday, April 9 at Heritage Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband Hollie Wells Sr., son Ray Wells, and son David Wells. Her family includes: grandchildren: Kenneth Ray and Bree Wells of Holland, Ashley and Wilson Rodriguez of Holland; Daughter-in-laws Beverly Wells of Holland, and Judy Wells of Grand Rapids; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be Sunday 3-6 pm April 13, 2008 at The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story 295 Douglas Ave. Holland, MI. Funeral services will be 1pm Monday April 14th, 2008 at the Calvary Reformed Church of Holland. Burial will be in Rest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Please visit Mary’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo of her with her family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home.