Bobby Gene Wells

Bobby Gene Wells, 89, of Amity Road, Greeneville passed away peacefully June 7, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was known as a very kind and loving man who cared deeply for his family and was a friend to everyone he met. Those who knew him loved him.

Bobby was a 1953 graduate of Greeneville High School and a 1964 graduate of TN Law Enforcement Academy in Donelson, TN.

He began his career with Texaco Oil Company in Greeneville, TN where he worked alongside his two brothers, Howard and Hugh Wells. In 1953, he volunteered to serve in the United States Army where he was later stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return home, he joined the Greeneville Police Department in 1957, where he was later promoted to Lieutenant, a position he held until his retirement in 1981. After retirement, he managed Glenn Hills Utility District as well as managed Star Tobacco Warehouse, Bernard Warehouse and New Burley Tobacco Warehouse. He was a member of the Greene County School Board for 19 years. He served on the Board of Greene Farmers Co-op. Bobby served as President of Greene County Livestock Association and also served on the Board of Greene County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars for 65+ years. He served on the Tennessee Law Enforcement Planning Commission. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church,

where he attended as long as his health permitted.

Mr. Wells had a lifelong passion for farming and agriculture, which was instilled in him as a young child while farming alongside his Dad and brothers on a small farm in the Amity community. During his adult years, he was involved in dairy farming, raising Black Angusbeef cattle and growing burley tobacco. This love of growing tobacco and working in the tobacco market each season created many friendships that he cherished dearly. In his later years, he loved raising donkeys on his small farm commonly known by family as Rabbit Hill Farm, where he was well known for his white donkeys which were a popular item among many who visited the farm.

His hobbies included, restoring antique tractors, fishing with his grandsons, traveling to tractor shows and farm expos with a special life- long friend, Sammy Fox, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and following the Greeneville High Greene Devils & University of Tennessee Volunteers faithfully as well as a daily listener to Ron Metcalfe & Ray Elliott on WGRV early morning show where he was known to be their favorite listener. Bobby enjoyed getting together with his GHS 1950's Meet and Eat Group while dining at local restaurants. He also loved vacationing with his family each summer along the coast of South Carolina, where many great memories were made. During Mr. Wells’ time in service, his love of his country and respect for the American Flag grew. He proudly flew two American Flags at his home and was often seen saluting these flags. His strong love for the American Flag that he shared with his family became the inspiration for the annual display of 90+ flags carried on to the field by members of his alma mater, Greeneville High School Football team, which grew over the years to an annual community wide display of the American Flags at each of the county high school football games.

Survivors include the love of his life and wife of 64 years: Carol Harrison Wells; sister-in-law: Rosetta Wells; son: Bobby Wells, II and wife, Angie; daughter: Kimberly Shepard, all of Greeneville; granddaughter: Kaci Wells Greene and husband, Seth, three grandsons: Austin Shepard, Bradley Wells and Cooper Shepard. Other nieces and nephews: Terry Lee & Mary Wells of Georgetown, KY and Trish & Brad Spivey of Nashville, TN; several other great nephews and cousins. Lifelong family friends Sammy and Peggy Fox, Tommy and Connie Creamer, Linda and Darwin Kilday and Jamie Skeen.

He was the son of the late Charles Arthur and Flora Eunella Fillers Wells and was also preceded in death by two brothers, Hugh Wells and Howard Wells, a sister-in-law, Leland Wells, father-in-law and mother- in-law Wilbur and Pearl Harrison, 2 brothers-in-law Dr. Keith Harrison and Lynn Harrison and sister-in-law Pat Harrison.

The family will receive friends 1-3 and 5-7 pm Saturday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Dr. Dan Donaldson and Rev. Greg Cartwright officiating.

Interment will follow at GreeneLawn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Austin Shepard, Cooper Shepard, Bradley Wells, Seth Greene, Dwayne Wells, Darwin Kilday, Tommy Creamer and Charles Kinser.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. Charles Montgomery, Sammy Fox, Ed Miller, Wade Harrison, Steve Wells, Randy Wells, Kenny Wells, Carl Belcher, Joe Parkins, Richard Morrison, Alfred Taylor, James Davis, Mike Crum, David Susong, Ron Metcalfe, as well as former and current members of the

Greeneville Police Department, members of First Presbyterian Church, Laughlin Hospital Cardiac Rehab Staff and family, Dr. Tyler Bailey and staff, members of Greene County School Board that he served with, as well as many other special friends.

Special thanks to Dale Fann, a caregiver who stayed with him in the home as well as assisted him to many doctor appointments and the staff at Smokey Mountain Health Care and Hospice who cared for him in his final days.

The Greene County Honor Guard and TN National Guard will be in charge of the military graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 110 N. Main Street, Greeneville, TN 37743.

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to the Wells family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.