Mildred Inez Barringer Wells, a beautiful soul inside and out was born in Salisbury, NC (Rowan County) on February 2, 1925, to Samuel Alexander Barringer and Myrtle Inez Rufty Barringer. A Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Friend was also born on Groundhogs Day which we all became familiar with and served as a great reminder for her birthday throughout the years!
Mildred was known by “Grandmommy” to everyone. It also seems to encapsulate who she was to her family. She was the grand, the mom, the grandmom and the mommy to all of us. She was the eldest of 6 children and a true eldest child she was, strong and independent. Just 2 years prior at 96 years of age she was mowing her own lawn, living independently. Her absolute favorite thing in the world to do was plant flowers and garden with at least one bright red tomato sitting in her kitchen window every summer. When you visited it was a must to walk through her garden down a concrete path, some of which she mixed and poured herself, through a trellis to see all of her different colored roses that were in bloom. In her last days, when asked what she wished she could do, she moved her arms in the air as if she was holding a trowel in one hand and a plant in the other and said “dig in the earth”.
Grandmommy was very independent, but her eldest son Larry was the catalyst that allowed that over the years. Her son would come by almost every single day of the week for years to check in, talk and have lunch with her and watch braves baseball on TV allowing her to stay in her home and not go into assisted living. Her second eldest Susan stepped up to bring her back to the home where she lived with her husband, raised 4 children and watched all the grands and great grands run around for years to eventually go home to a restored life with God this past Wednesday. Her faith was strong, and she loved going to First Lutheran every Sunday until she could no longer make the trip. She would often show up to church with a grandchild, sit right up front and after the service introduce them, with a big grin, to all her friends. She would do the same thing with Meals on Wheels. For years she delivered food to the elderly and homebound, bringing along a grandchild to help deliver meals and sit and talk with the people in their homes or apartments. Quietly setting an example of what it’s like to follow God and follow your heart to help others.
It’s hard to comprehend all the things she has seen in her 98 years. From the multiple wars, 17 presidents, the change in cars, landing on the moon, computers, so many incomprehensible changes on this Earth, good and bad. That, paired with growing up with hard working parents, prepared her to stay strong for her own family through life’s beautiful moments and life’s tragedies. Tragedy struck the family early. When her younger brother Cecil was 6, he was tragically killed right in front of their house by an oncoming car. She would vividly tell the story of what happened and how the family pulled through and forgave the kids driving the car. Another quiet example of Forgiveness.
But the best are the stories she would tell that are some of the funniest. A favorite is when she was working at the mill at a young age and getting tired, she climbed under one of the carts and fell asleep during her shift. Her shift manager woke her up and scolded her. Every time she shared that story her whole body would shake with laughter. Stories of how neighbors in Salisbury would grow different crops and then get together to share those crops. They would gather and shuck beans, share corn and potatoes and tell stories and dance. Oh, how this world would be different if we still took the time to help our neighbors and work together for a common purpose like they did in those wonderful memories.
She worked hard her whole life to help provide for her family. Working at the mills early in life, at Piece Goods sewing clothes and eventually retiring from Harris Teeter as the Bakery manager. And to the day she could no longer grocery shop would go no where else for her groceries and visited once a week to say hi to everyone and do her weekly shopping.
Nothing could compare to the love she had for her family. She loved to be surrounded by them, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas when having a house full. She would also bring in others that didn’t have family during these times as if they were her family too. Quietly showing us Grace.
We will all miss our Grandmommy from the bottom of our hearts that showed us Grace, Love, Kindness, Humility, Independence and Faith. Heaven just gained one beautiful Angel! Nothing warms our hearts more to know she will be held by all that were predeceased by her. Her own twin children Paula D. Wells and Perry D. Wells. Her brothers Cecil A. Barringer and Donald R. Barringer. Her sweet sisters Nellie B. Troxell and Faye B. Clontz. A heavenly great granddaughter Charlotte Marie Brady.
So many are here to honor and remember her and keep her legacy going strong. She is survived by her sweet Sister Hazel B Oates (Dood) in Winston Salem. Her eldest son Larry W. Wells and second eldest daughter Susan B. Wells in Greensboro.
Her Grandchildren, Kristin H. Wells in Charlotte, Michael M. Wells and Jennifer E. Vaughan in Greensboro, Wendi W. Leslie and Husband Benjamin C. Leslie (Cameron) in,Texas, Kenneth W. Wells (Wayne) and Taylor D. Wells in Virginia, Paul A. Vaughan (Alex) in Raleigh, Carmen A. Mason, Robert P. Mason (Preston) and wife Renee C. Mason in Virginia.
Her Great Grandchildren, Sophie G. Kouri and Lawrence H. Kouri in Charlotte, Savannah A. Wells and Joey E. Wells in Greensboro, Elisha J. Vaughan in Kill Devil Hills, Sloane A. Mills, Cecilia M. Mason in Virginia, Isabelle A. King in Georgia, Tobin R. Leslie in Arizona, Winter D. Leslie and Parker W. Leslie in Texas.
A funeral service for Mildred will be held Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 1:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, 3600 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, North Carolina. Interment will follow at Westminster Gardens Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com for the Wells family.
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