RUSSELL BRYAN WELLS
Died Nov. 24, 2005
Russell Bryan Wells, 71, died Thursday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
A native of Wayne County, he was the son of Gladys Best Wells of Goldsboro and the late Herman Russell Wells. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jeptha R. Wells.
Mr. Wells served in the United States Army (Airborne) for 20 years and retired with the rank of 1SG-E8. He served in the 11th Airborne Division, 173d Airborne Brigade, Airborne Team 162, 82d Airborne Division, and "Follow Me" Airborne Brigade. He was a jump school instructor at Fort Bragg and Fort Benning for many years, and he saw combat in the Lebanon Crisis and the Vietnam War. He was a recipient of various military awards including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with the Third Oak Leaf Cluster.
After his retirement from military service in 1973, Mr. Wells was a residential building contractor in Wayne County for several years. He was a member of Falling Creek Baptist Church in Grantham and was formerly active in the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans. He was a volunteer driver of the DAV van, transporting veterans to and from VA hospitals.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Falling Creek Baptist Church in Grantham, with the Rev. Ron Varner officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in the church cemetery.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Lockamy Wells; two children, Bryan K. Wells of Goldsboro and Melinda F. Wells of Wilson; one brother, Gene A. Wells and wife, Mary Frances, of Goldsboro.
Memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, and other times at the residence, 4626 Stevens Mill Road.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 25, 2005 1:51 PM