Surrounded by her loved ones, Betty Jean Wells of Austin, Texas was called home to be with the Lord on June 19, 2019. Born on April 15, 1932 in Omaha, Nebraska, she was the third of seven children born to the late James and Della Mae Scott.
Her innate drive to help those around her led her to receive a Master’s of Social Work from The University of Nebraska in 1958. Following her graduation, she worked with Wesley House in Omaha, the first social work center in the area. She then traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked for the Salvation Army and the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. She continued to follow her passion as it led her to New Jersey, where she became the head social worker at the Children’s Home Society helping children affected by Polio. Shortly after, she met the love of her life, LeRoy Wells. They married in 1961 and were blessed with four beautiful children. LeRoy’s military service allowed them to live in various countries stimulating Betty’s love for travel. In 1974, they settled in Austin, Texas where she worked as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner of Medical Social Work for the City of Austin before retiring in 1994.
Betty was admired amongst her peers, her children’s peers, and her grandchildren’s peers. She was always first to volunteer to chaperone field trips, bus everyone around, and provide service in any capacity to those in need. She was known for the beautiful Afghans she frequently crotched as gifts. Betty always stressed the importance of education and her quest for knowledge continued on throughout her life. In her retirement years she was often found at the library exploring history, geography, and political ideologies. She also taught herself American Sign Language and learned to play the piano. She enjoyed experiencing different cultures. With her daughters in tow, she traveled to Africa, Central America, Australia, China, Europe, the Middle East, and Russia. She was very fond of gardening. Even in her final days she was tending to her flowers. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sharing her experiences with them. Throughout her life, she credited her many blessings to her devout faith and unwavering trust in the Lord.
Betty became a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church after moving to Austin, where she was devoted to ministry involvement. She served as the President of the Tape Ministry, Vice President of the Grief Committee, and Vice President of Eunice Circle of WMU. Additionally, she served as an adult Sunday school teacher, delivered meals to sick and homebound seniors, worked with the Senior Adult Ministry and Children’s Choir, and made hundreds of Afghans and scarves to be distributed through the Ministry for the homeless. She gave generously to the Mission financial offerings, especially the Pure Water, Pure Love project that provides labor and equipment to build wells and supply pumps in Haiti.
Betty will join her husband LeRoy Wells, her brothers Leonard, James, and Leo Scott, and her parents to dwell in her eternal home prepared by God. Her legacy will be continued by her siblings Chester, Clara Belle, and Florence Mae; her children Theodore Dalton, John Madison, Della Narvell, Betty Jean, Angelina Laxamana, Lawrence Steven, and Cedric Alan; her grandchildren John Michael, Thealynn Meighan, Moné Bancha, Batisé Bancha, Cedric Alan (CJ), and Sokvanny; her great-grandchildren Katalina Darlynn and Adrianna Liah, and countless friends.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1010 East 10th Street, Austin, Texas 78702.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s honor to Pure Water, Pure Love (Make checks payable to Pure Water, Pure Love; PWPL c/o WMU, PO Box 830010, Birmingham, AL 35283-0010), Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org/donate), and Defenders of Wildlife (http://www.defenders.org/donate).
