Jackie Lamarr Wells

Jackie Lamarr Wells, 69, was born on March 23, 1947 to the late Cecil Wells and Margaret Green in Morristown. Jackie transitioned from this life on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016 at Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, surrounded by his family.

He was a high school graduate of West High School. Jackie joined the U.S. Army, where he served in the Vietnam War. Following the war, he enrolled at Walters State Community College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He served for a numbers of years working as a security guard at a number of corporations, including Morristown College, Edgewater and Brink, until his retirement.

Jackie was well known for his piano playing gift. He played for a number of bands throughout the years, including the Tyler Green Orchestra Band and Ed Fox and the Twilights. He had the opportunity to play for a number of artists and performers, including Ken Curtis, Alex Haley, ""Festus"" and for Dinah Shone at the Martha Washington Inn. Jackie also was a frequent pianist at the Morristown Country Club, the Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Forest. He played with a number of musicians in the area, including Jimmy Hutsel, Raymond Turner, Fred McMurry, Theodore Weston, The Martin Brothers and James Flinger. He was honored in the Citizen Tribune for his musical gift shining during times of segregation.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Ulysses Green; daughter, Jessica Lee Wells; and grandson, Aveon Stephen Clark.

He is survived by his children, Johonna (Jeffry) Thomas Carter, Felicia Wells, Jackie Wells and Jerru Wells; grandchildren, Ira Venell Thomas, Joseph Carter, Marcus Barnett and Jaquon Barnett; great-grandson, Rylan Hensley; siblings, Bill Jon Wells, Bobby Greene and Jerrie Patterson; aunt, June Cole Miller; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; and special friend, Dorothy Wells.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the chapel of Stubblefield Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. Family and friends will meet at Rock of Ages Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 10:45 a.m. for an 11 a.m. Military honors will be provided by VFW Post #5266.

Arrangements by Stubblefield Funeral Home, Morristown.


This obituary was originally published in the Citizen Tribune.