Lila “Olene” Wells
1931 - 2021
Lila Olene Wells was born December 1, 1931 in Dixie, Arkansas. Born the youngest daughter of Claude and Annie Coy, she grew up in the farming community of Dixie and was no stranger to hard work. Stories from her upbringing often included tales of hoeing and picking cotton, doing laundry in a wash tub over a fire, and living the farm life of the 1930s and 40s.
Her strong work ethic led her to her career, fresh from highschool, at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where Olene served as a switchboard operator. She worked there for several years. It was while operating her switchboard that she intercepted a call from a young man working the night shift at a service station… and the rest was history.
Olene met Henry, fell in love and married in Paragould, Arkansas on February 6, 1960. They began their lives together in Paragould, each with a child from a previous marriage. In 1963, life led them from Paragould, Ark. to Shafter, California where John Henry “Hank” Wells ran the Mobile Service Station and Olene devoted her time to raising her family.
Olene was an accomplished seamstress, an ever-present room mother, and the greatest fan a kid could have asked for. Whether it was den mother for Cub Scouts, or the Blue Bird leader, cheering on swimming, football, track, or cheer, Olene NEVER missed an activity involving her children. Caring for every facet of her family was an enormous responsibility and her greatest accomplishment.
Olene is preceded in death by her husband, John Henry “Hank” Wells of Shafter, and three of their children: Janelle Pendergrass (Missouri), Terry Wells, and Phillip Wells. Olene is survived by two children, John Brent Wells and Sheila Johnson.
Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers or plants we ask that you choose to honor Olene by bringing joy to those around you. Gift flowers to someone among the living and brighten someone’s day. Snap a photo and post the photo to Olene’s memory wall at https://www.petersfuneralhomes.com. #bloomsforolene