1922
Rita
2010
Rita Wells
July 8, 1922 — October 23, 2010
Rita Faye Miller Wells, 88, died Saturday evening, October 23, 2010, in Blue Springs, MO.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th St. Independence, MO. Inurnment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 am at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Rita was born on July 8, 1922 to Harry and Chloe Miller of Thayer, MO. After spending her young years in southern MO, her family moved to Memphis, TN, where she went to high school and then received her degree in music from Memphis State Teachers College. It was at Memphis State that she met Eugene Wells, whom she married in January of 1944. Following his service in WWII, they moved to St. Louis, where Rita did graduate work in organ performance at Fontbonne College. From there they went to Lawrence, KS where Gene received his PhD and they became the parents of two girls, Rigena and Deborah. Gene’s work for the government later took them to Bettendorf, IA and then to Washington, DC, where Rita worked in public relations and they were active in international student organizations until he retired in 1974. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the Kansas City area.
Rita was a devout member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and she played an important role in the musical life of every congregation she attended. She and Gene loved to travel and they visited more than 50 countries together. Her greatest joy, however, was her family, both those related by blood and those she adopted into her circle of love. We were all blessed by her generosity of spirit and our lives were enriched by her presence.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years and is survived by her sister, Virginia Wheatley; two daughters, Dr. Rigena Wells Nordyke of Albuquerque, NM and Dr. Deborah Wells Clark of Blue Springs; three grandchildren, Sabrina, Dawn and Matthew; her four adored great grandchildren; and the entire Cochran family.
Memorial services will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Speaks Suburban Chapel; 18020 E. 39th St. Independence, MO. Inurnment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 am at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Rita was born on July 8, 1922 to Harry and Chloe Miller of Thayer, MO. After spending her young years in southern MO, her family moved to Memphis, TN, where she went to high school and then received her degree in music from Memphis State Teachers College. It was at Memphis State that she met Eugene Wells, whom she married in January of 1944. Following his service in WWII, they moved to St. Louis, where Rita did graduate work in organ performance at Fontbonne College. From there they went to Lawrence, KS where Gene received his PhD and they became the parents of two girls, Rigena and Deborah. Gene’s work for the government later took them to Bettendorf, IA and then to Washington, DC, where Rita worked in public relations and they were active in international student organizations until he retired in 1974. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the Kansas City area.
Rita was a devout member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and she played an important role in the musical life of every congregation she attended. She and Gene loved to travel and they visited more than 50 countries together. Her greatest joy, however, was her family, both those related by blood and those she adopted into her circle of love. We were all blessed by her generosity of spirit and our lives were enriched by her presence.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years and is survived by her sister, Virginia Wheatley; two daughters, Dr. Rigena Wells Nordyke of Albuquerque, NM and Dr. Deborah Wells Clark of Blue Springs; three grandchildren, Sabrina, Dawn and Matthew; her four adored great grandchildren; and the entire Cochran family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita Wells, please visit our flower store.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Speaks Suburban Chapel
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