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Mary Jane Hayden Wells
1927 - 2020
Mary Jane Hayden Wells
1927 - 2020
Obituary
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Mary Jane Wells Obituary
Mary Jane Wells, "Mama Jane," 93, widow of Ronald K. Wells, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
Mary Jane was born in Tecumseh, MI, and was the daughter of the late Perry and Elizabeth Hayden. When she was a teenager, she accepted the Lord's call on her life to Christian service. Mary Jane attended Wheaton College in Chicago for two years and then met and married Ronald Wells. They both attended and graduated from Asbury College in Lexington, KY. Together they served churches in full time music ministry in Kentucky, Texas, and Spartanburg- arriving in 1968 to serve First Baptist Church. As an accomplished soloist and pianist, she taught voice and piano in her home for 60+ years, and at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Ronald and Mary Jane also had the opportunity to serve in South Africa to teach the local people to develop music ministries in their churches. After leaving FBC Spartanburg in 1990, she and Ronald trained, directed, and traveled with the India Children's Choir, sponsored by Bibles for the World. Under their direction they presented over 900 concerts in the United States, singing the musical Ronald wrote entitled "Headhunters to Hearthunters". When Ronald's health demanded that they return home to Spartanburg, they became very involved again at FBC Spartanburg working alongside Steve Skinner, who still serves as the Minister of Music.
A loving mother and grandmother, Mary Jane is survived by one daughter, Deborah Kay Wells Hendon; one son, David Kenneth Wells and his wife, Angie; five grandchildren, Joshua Wells and his wife, Amanda Burke Wells, Lori Hendon Manning and her husband, Tim, Robin Hendon Watts and her husband, Lt. Colonel David Watts, Jonathan Wells, Brian Kohut, and Trey Hendon his wife, Leslie Harmon Hendon; thirteen great grandchildren; one sister; one brother; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son in-law, Pierce Hendon; two brothers; and one sister.
The family will receive friends Monday, November 2nd, 4-6PM at Dunbar Funeral Home.
A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, November 4th, 2:00PM at First Baptist Church Spartanburg with a live stream available at fbs.org or facebook.com/firstbaptistspartanburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Spartanburg, Music Department or the Mission Impact Ministries, 250 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.
Jean Aylor
November 15, 2020
Dear David and Family,
I will never forget your precious mother and going on the first “I Wonder” Tour. Mrs. Wells was a mentor to all of us! What a bright and beautiful Christian lady!
With love, sympathy, and prayers,
Jean and Pete Aylor
Cecil and Leigh Ringer
November 4, 2020
David, Debbie, and families:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Your parents were both special to me and were the inspirations to me being in church music and worship today. I feel blessed to have known them and to have experienced “I Wonder” choir tours under their leadership — both musically and Spiritually! I learned so much musically from your dad! Your Mom’s organizational skills, attention to detail, and sharing/showing the love of Jesus to each student still shape my ministry and mission tour work to this day! Leigh and I will continue to hold you all in our prayers. May God bless!
Vivian McAbee
November 3, 2020
A beautiful lady. Her smile was beautiful. Loved to hear her sing, especially The King Is Coming. Now she is with the King with her wonderful husband, Ron.
Debby Henderson
November 2, 2020
My heart is heavy with the passing of Mary Jane Wells. She was the most beautiful lady inside and out. Loved always talking to her growing up at First Baptist. She was an amazing lady and just the sweetest. Know she is glad to be home with our Heavenly Father and her beloved Ron. You all the family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Fly high Mary Jane! We will see you again some day!
Debby Cooper Henderson
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Roseanne Miranda
November 2, 2020
I met Mary Jane at a doctor's office while working there. The first time I
laid eyes on Mary Jane she reminded me of the actress Geraldine Fitzgerald when she was a young woman. I told Mary that and we became friends right then and there. We stayed in touch for a few years but eventually drifted apart, however, we did spend one Thanksgiving together at a little restaurant. Mary also took me to a spectacular Christmas event at an all denomination church which included someone riding a white horse down the aisle.
Mary was a very grand lady, always impeccably dressed, hair quaffed, just all beauty inside and out. I have left the state of South Carolina and wish I had taken a moment to say goodbye.
My condolences to her family.
Rose
Jack Slemenda
November 2, 2020
To David and Family,
My deepest condolences to you at this time. I can still see her sitting with Jeremy at the piano when he was a young boy. Both your folks were givers of Life and treasured by many. Again, I’m sorry.
Jack
Dexter Brown
November 1, 2020
Mary Jane and Ron both were inspirations to me for music. I moved from first Baptist to spend the next 25 years in music ministry myself. Mary Jane was a dear friend and always loved to see her At special events Christmas time at the church my love and sympathy to David and family.
Cheri Abraham
October 31, 2020
I am saddened to hear of Mary Jane’s passing. She was an amazing woman with boundless energy and a wonderful devotion to her family and to her Lord. She will be missed, but the impact she had on so many lives will continue to be passed down through generations. What a wonderful legacy she has left behind as she gains her heavenly reward. I pray for the family during their time of loss.
Dr Paul Morris
October 31, 2020
Ron and Momma Jane were an important part of my life when I moved to Spartanburg to go to graduate school! Because she and my mom grew up and sang together in their teens, MJ insisted on me staying with them when I moved to spartanburg. They found out I sang and the next night I was at FBC Choir practice and as they say the rest is history! As a grad student painted their house, started a garden for Ron, milked goats when they went out of town, etc! Great people and miss them both! They are not gone who live on in the hearts of those left behind! Welcome home thy faithful servant!
Fran Bagwell
October 29, 2020
Mary Jane was a true friend!! I’m sure she is singing - The King is Coming - with a huge choir to back her up!
The Staff of J. M. Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory
November 1, 2020
Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.
Fran Bagwell
October 29, 2020
My deepest sympathy to the family of Mary Jane Wells. Mary Jane was an inspiration, role model, teacher, musician, and soloist. Mary Jane will be greatly missed by many people.
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