Jackie Lamarr Wells

Jackie Lamarr Wells, was born on March 23, 1947, to the late Cecil Wells and Margaret Green in Morristown, Tennessee. He was a high school graduate of West High School. Jackie joined the United States 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 & 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.

Jackie transitioned from this life on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents; his 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; four grandchildren: Ira Venell Thomas, Joseph Carter, Marcus Barnett and Jaquon Barnett; one great-grandson: Rylan Hensley; three siblings: Bill Jon Wells, Bobby Greene and Jerrie Patterson; one aunt: June Cole Miller; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; and special friend, Dorothy Wells.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Stubblefield Funeral. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 21, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. Family and friends will meet at Rock of Ages Cemetery on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 10:45 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by VFW Post #5266.

Services are under the direction of Stubblefield Funeral Home.