Eunice Estell Wells

DURHAM Mrs. Eunice Estell Wells, devoted wife and much beloved mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on August 22, 2016, following a life of 93 years filled with love, kindness, and dedication to her family, friends and “furry” family. Mrs. Wells was preceded in death by her deeply cherished husband, Richard N. Wells, and is survived by her daughter and devoted caregiver Carol Wells Rabon, and her husband Jerry Rabon, of Durham, her daughter Jean Nikole Wells of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and her granddaughter Nicole Rabon of Asheboro. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ada and Rose , both of Raleigh, North Carolina, nieces Joy Shioleno and Sandra Spry, nephews William and Rex, and dear friends and neighbors Ray and Anne Medford, Frances Towrey and Pat Cunningham, all of Gastonia, North Carolina. Mrs. Wells was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Beulah of Morrisville, North Carolina, by her sister Mozell Brown, and by her brothers Junius, William, Irving and James Robert.
Mrs. Wells was an award-­winning, valued employee of Belk Department Store in Gastonia from the time Belk opened its flagship store at Eastridge Mall until her retirement 27 years ago. She was delighted to be often recognized and greeted by her former regular customers many years after her retirement. Mrs. Wells was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Gastonia for over 45 years. She was an avid craftswoman, quilter, RV traveler, and backyard vegetable gardener and enjoyed preparing home cooked meals and making a loving and welcoming home for her husband and children. She was a remarkable and devoted caregiver to her late husband during his long illness prior to his death. Richard and Eunice met and married during World War II and were inseparable during their 66 year marriage. Nothing mattered more to Mrs. Wells than her family to whom she was unfailingly kind, patient and loving.
In Galatians 5:22, 23, it is stated that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. Eunice Wells lived and walked in that spirit all of her days.
The family wishes to thank the nursing and other staff of Duke Hospice and the staff of caregivers from Interim HealthCare of Durham, North Carolina who provided constant, loving care to her in her home during her last months of life. Thank you and bless you Dorcas Johnson, LaToya Watson, Teressa Bolden, Annis Harman Sow, LaDashia Robbins, Angela Breland, and Nakia Green of Interim Home Health of Durham for your loving care of Mrs. Wells during her last months of life. Thank you also to Evelyn, Melissa, Jean and other wonderful staff at Home Instead.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Durham. Chaplain Tom Hehenberger will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12 to 1 p.m., prior to the service at the church. Entombment will be in Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia on Friday, August 26, 2016, following a service to be held at the mausoleum chapel at 2 p.m. Rev. Dr. Brandon K. McCoy will officiate. Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com