Martha Vance Wells

Canton- As the warm sunshine peeked from behind the clouds and the soft sounds of birds singing could be heard on the afternoon of Thursday, August 26, 2021, we said goodbye to Martha Vance Wells.  Mrs. Wells was a beautiful lady with a kind and loving spirit who has brought great joy to her family and all that knew her for the 88 years of her wonderful life.

Born on June 13, 1933 in Haywood County, Martha was truly a blessing to her parents, the late John Way Vance and the late Ruth Mae Sellars Vance and she went on to be a blessing for every single person whose life she touched. She was indeed an intelligent young lady and was honored to be selected as salutatorian of her graduating class at Bethel High School.  From an early age Martha was taught the importance of good work ethic and this was evident in her tremendous dedication to her employment in the medical records department of Haywood County Hospital for 32 years.  Her life became complete when she met the love of her life and her best friend, Robert “Bobby” Wells and together they shared 65 years of marriage and were blessed with two wonderful sons. Martha deeply cherished her role as a homemaker, mother and grandmother. In the words of her sons, “She was very protective of her boys and she kept a close eye on us, especially when we became sick, making us recount what we might have done recently to cause this and to be mindful to not do that again”.  Martha and Bobby’s home was a place admired by everyone and she was the mastermind of a multitude of kind gestures that came out of the “yellow house” on Henson Cove Road. She lovingly made her home a wonderful place to gather and to enjoy her delicious meals, always preparing favorite dishes for her family. Cream corn, mac and cheese, chocolate cake, no bake cookies, and banana pudding were always waiting on the table when everyone arrived.  After enjoying her amazing cooking, the warm, safe, and cozy feeling of her home was the perfect place to take a short nap.  Martha’s southern hospitality was extended to everyone who visited the Wells home and if she did not have something homemade to share with visitors, a delightful popsicle could always be found in the freezer! Martha and Bobby were true supporters of Pisgah High School sports and together they spent many evenings listening to ball games being broadcast over the radio and Martha never failed to make their evening special with plenty of snacks prepared for ballgame night.  She absolutely adored her grandchildren and often spoke of them with great pride and joy.  Each of them were always catered to and made to feel extra special when visiting. A fond memory of Coca- Colas always being served with a paper napkin and a straw and making her home a beloved magical playhouse for the grandkids are happy memories that will never be forgotten. Special occasions and holidays, especially Christmas, were dearly loved by Martha and she brought much joy to those who were close to her heart with the perfect card or holiday decoration in true Hallmark Holiday style.  Martha was a gracious, and lovely lady who was admired and loved by everyone and her secret for keeping her hair so perfect was the standing 5:30 am beauty salon appointment she kept every single week.  A devoted Christian, Mrs. Wells was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church where she had attended all of her life and also had served as the church secretary for many years when her children were young. She loved her church and her church family, and she dearly loved singing and listening to the uplifting music and songs of praise.

 We can not remember Martha without thinking of Bobby and the life they shared together and the examples that they were  to each of us. Therefore, wrap your arms around the ones you love, look them in the eyes, and tell them how much you treasure them. They both would be happy.      

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Sue Vance Goodrich of Boca Raton, FL.

Surviving are her two sons, Robert Vance Wells and wife Sherry of Greer, SC, and Kevin Lee Wells and wife Alma of Waynesville; four grandchildren, Ben Wells and wife Elana of Mount Pleasant, SC, Abbey Hightower and husband Dylan of Hilton Head, SC, Ashleigh Medda and husband Suman of Winston-Salem, and Karley Wells of Waynesville; two great-grandchildren, Owen Wells and Levi Wells of Mount Pleasant, SC and her sister, Sarah Vance Brown of Clyde.

The funeral service for Mrs. Wells will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, August 30, 2021 in the chapel of Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Reverend Matt Rhea will be officiating.  The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until1:00 pm prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Crawford / Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the love and care given by the entire team of Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Memorials may be made in memory of Martha Wells to Spring Hill Baptist Church, 1918 Murray Road, Canton, NC 28716.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for the Wells family.

The live stream of the funeral service is available here