Dora Lee Wells

On Sunday January 26, 2025, Dora Lee Cates Wells went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dora Lee passed peacefully into eternity at NHC in Tullahoma surrounded by her family. Dora Lee was born on February 28,1941, to the late Lannie Ray Cates and Gladys Sanders Cates. Dora Lee was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 64 years, William Morris Wells, her son Morris Ray Wells and his wife Phyllis Anne Wells, her grandson Ethan Tyler Wells, and her brother Eugene Cates.
Dora Lee is survived by her son William Darryl Wells (Jeannine), grandchildren Misty Brinkley (Carey), April Otinger (Chad), Christopher Wells (Erika), Megan Wells, Dalton Wells (Megan), Jayden Wells and her great grandchildren, Colt Brinkley, Kaylee Wells, Caleb Otinger, Lilah Wells and Cash David Brinkley. Dora Lee is also survived by 3 siblings, Dillon Cates, Elloween Donnell, and Marlene Anderson (Jimmy) and, former daughter in law, Tina Sullivent, and special friend Gaynell Jackson, and many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.
Dora Lee was born in Moore County, Tennessee where she lived and went to school until she married. She and Morris married on November 8, 1958. They spent their life in Tullahoma. Morris was in the Funeral Business for over 50 years. They lived above Daves Culbertson Funeral Home for 16 years, where they raised Ray and Darryl. They then moved to their home of 35 years on Westside Drive. She was a member of West End Baptist Church for 48 years, where she sang in the choir and had many dear friends. When she didn't make it to church, she watched Charles Stanley on TV. After she received her diagnosis, she said that the Lord just gave her a peace and she clung to that.
Dora Lee sewed baseballs in her early years, as well as directed school traffic, she worked for Grants, Big K, and Benchmark, before working 27 years for Wisco Envelope in which she retired from. In her retirement she enjoyed selling and buying Avon and helping with her great grandchildren. Dora Lee had many hobbies. She and Morris used to square dance and talk on their CB radio. Dora Lee's handle was "Plain Jane", she was anything but plain. You would seldom see her not matching from head to toe and accessorized to the nines. As of late she was very proud of her long red fingernails. She enjoyed crafts, flowers, clothes and jewelry, and talking on the phone, but most of her time was spent spoiling Morris and her family.
Dora Lee was known for her great memory and attention to detail. She did not miss anything and didn't mind helping you see it too. She knew everyone and if she didn't, she knew someone they were related to or worked with. She had a very sweet disposition and not an ounce of sarcasm. She was a patient woman especially when her boys would bring home wild animals of all kinds. Just ask one of us how the squirrel went berserk. Dora Lee could tell you every species of tree, leaf, weed, plant or flower and if it were edible. She has also handed out many cuttings of her Christmas Cacti. Her house was a hub for family gatherings and holidays. She also made a wonderful Coconut cake, Coconut punch, and fried okra, but don't ask for the recipe because she took it with her. And if you were lucky, she might have made you a cheese ball. She also taught us how to roll yards and later let us roll hers. She loved to laugh, and we loved to see her laugh.
More than anything Dora Lee was very much a family woman. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her family. She was our constant and our steady, always there when we needed her. A wonderful Mama and Mema. She left us a legacy of love and faith. We hope that we took care of her as good as she took care of us. There will always be a Mema sized hole in our hearts. But it is not goodbye because Jesus made a way for us to be together again one day. Until then.... We love you so much!
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Burial will follow at Hurricane Cemetery in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the time of service.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dora Lee Wells.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.