Ralph Connell Wells

Ralph Connell Wells
Ralph Connell Wells, 79, of Andalusia died December 15, 2023.
He loved his family, his hometown, and baseball in equal measure.
Born in Andalusia on March 23, 1944, Ralph was the second of three sons
born to Grover Ashton Wells Sr. and Orene Wells.
Ralph played Little League, Babe Ruth and high school baseball while
growing up in Andalusia. He walked on to Auburn University's freshman
and varsity baseball teams, and by the end of his college career had
earned a full scholarship and a reputation as a third baseman. Auburn
Coach Paul Nix said in 1966 that Wells was the best at his position in the
league.
At least part of his motivation for succeeding in baseball was competition
with his older brother, Ashton Wells Jr., who played baseball at the
University of Alabama. In later years, the two brothers enjoyed watching
their grandchildren compete against each other in local leagues.
Ralph was the only Auburn Tiger in his class recruited by the pros. He
signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1966 and earned All-Star status in their
training leagues. The U.S. Army interrupted his baseball career in 1967
when he was drafted for service. Both of his brothers also served in the
military.
While he was serving in Vietnam in 1968, his mother mailed him baseballs
and a glove so he could keep his arm in shape. Consequently, he rejoined
the Braves organization in 1969. After the first season, the Braves offered
him a job as the assistant business manager of the Shreveport Braves, an
apprenticeship of sorts designed to teach him the ins and outs of a baseball
operation.
At the end of the 1970 season, he realized the job was not for him. Even
though his baseball career ended, for all of his life he remained close to
many of the coaches and players he befriended at Auburn and through the
Braves.
Relying on the business degree earned at Auburn, he returned to
Andalusia and worked for TPS Distribution Center, later CARQUEST, for
37 years. His duties through the years included salesman, sales manager
and business and market development manager. The job afforded him the
opportunity to travel and meet and make many new friends.
In 1974, he married Barbara Sue Sweatt Wells, and together they reared
two daughters, Kristen and Kimberly. His brothers also reared their families
in Andalusia, and the lives of the Wells progeny were closely intertwined for
three generations. He was as proud of the accomplishments of his nieces
and nephews as he was those of his children.
Ralph and Sue spent their retirement years perfecting the roles of "Papa
and Mimi," attending their grandchildren's church, school and athletic
events, and spoiling them as much as their daughters would allow. He was
looking forward to the birth of his first great-grandchild.
If you were fortunate enough to be his friend, you had a special nickname
by which "Raph" called you and could count on always being greeted with a
warm hug or a firm handshake.
Wherever life took him, his love for Andalusia was unwavering.
He often said he was born, reared and educated in the city, and was
given many opportunities because members of the community took
time to teach and lead him. By 2012, he was ready to give back.
He was elected to the Andalusia City Council in 2012 and reelected in 2016
and 2020. He called it the "honor of his life" to represent District 4. He was
especially proud of the city's solid financial position, and the infrastructure
improvements and reinvestments in downtown made during his tenure.
When he stepped down from his council seat earlier this year, the mayor
and council voted to name its new batting facility in Johnson Park in his
honor.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Grover Ashton Wells,
Jr.; and a niece, Katherine Wells.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara Sue Sweatt Wells; two
daughters, Kristen (Russell) Wiggins and Kimberly (Keith) Dienstl; seven
grandchildren, Riley Grace (Mason) Kelley, Maggie Ruth, Jack, Mollie Jae,
Pitt and Ella Grae Wiggins, and Kolten Dienstl; his brother, Dr. Mike (Maria)
Wells; sister-in-law, Katy Sue Wells; nieces and nephews, Ashton Wells III,
Amanda (John) Lanier, Maria (David) Pezzoli, Daniel (Laura) Wells, John
(Kelly) Wells, and Sarah (Sonny) Maynor; and a host of great-nieces and
great-nephews.
The family will receive friends at Foreman's Funeral Home on Sunday,
Dec. 17, from 5 until 8 p.m.
Services are planned for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, from First Baptist
Church, where Mr. Wells was a member all of his life. David Pezzoli will
officiate and Aubrey McKee will sing. Two of Mr. Wells' granddaughters,
Riley Grace Kelley and Maggie Ruth Wiggins, will provide the eulogy.
Graveside services with military honors will follow at Andalusia Memorial
Cemetery with Bro. Jack Armstrong and Bro. Garrett Davis officiating.
Pallbearers will be John Luke Colvin, Andrew Clark, Elgin McMeans, Jacob
Bryan, Jayce Smith, Walt Cook and Logan Cook, friends of his grandson
Jack, most of whom played on his last baseball team.