Melrose Wells

For us this is the end of the story, but for our loved one, it is the beginning of the real story. This world had only been the cover and title page. Now she has begun Chapter One of the Great Story which none of us have read. It goes on forever and each chapter tells a different story and is better than the one before. A precious daughter, Melrose McClure came into life on March 10, 1929 in Curtis, Arkansas to the parentage of Frank and Christene Duncan McClure. She was the first child of five blessed to this union. At a very tender age, she surrendered her life to the teachings of Christ. Melrose spent all of her life in Curtis and was a graduate of Peake High School. She met and married her teenage sweetheart Eddie Pennington, Sr., to this union four children were born. Later she married the love of her life, John Henry Wells and to this union eight more children were added to the clan. Of all the notable callings, she was proud to be called Mother. Melrose possessed a strong work ethic and made many sacrifices to raise and nurture her children. She was a former employee of the Clark County Hospital, and the Hospitality Care Center. She retired from and the Children’s Colony, now, the Arkadelphia human Development Center in 1991 and returned to work as a foster grandparent until 1997. She generously poured out a combined 30 years of service to family, church, and community. She delighted in cooking, baking; she loved gospel music and attending church. Melrose was an encouragement to everyone she met and there was never a dull moment when she was around. Everyone who crossed her path was a recipient of her wisdom, support, straight forwardness and sense of humor. On Sunday, September 6, 2015, she surrendered her soul to Christ and lives again. We will miss her, but we’re happy that she woke up in the arms of the Lord. Mingled with the sorrow have been smiles and laughter because all our memories of Melrose Wells are wonderful and sweet. Those waiting to greet her and welcome her to her eternal home are her husband; her parents, a son Levon Pennington, a daughter Joyce E. Pennington Giles; two sisters, Vernita McClure and Lucille B. McClure Richard; and a brother-in-law, Robert Vernon Moore. Because love is far greater than death, her spirit will live on with her children: Eddie (Debbie) Pennington, Jr., of Lansing, MI, Linda (Richard) Black of Hot Springs Village, AR, Marilyn Wells of Lansing, MI, Johnny Wells of Ferndale, MI, James (Savada) Wells of Lansing, MI, Tommy Wells of Redgranite, WI, Shelia Wells of Arkadelphia, AR, Margo Wells Branch of Jonesboro, AR, Felicia Wells off Little Rock, AR and Eric (Victoria) Wells of Plano, TX; sisters, Bobbie Moore and Iona (Willie) Greenfield; and a brother-in-law, Willie Richard, Sr. Of Chicago, IL. She also leaves of loving host of thirty grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, special friends Rose Crow and Lucinda Dickens and other friends. A Celebration of her life will be shared on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Friendship Baptist Church with Rev. Earl Graham, officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 1-7 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Interment will be in Mt. Friendship Cemetery in Curtis, Arkansas.