Funeral Notice James F. Wells, Jr.



Orlando, FL. – James Franklin Wells, Jr. went to be with the Lord on January 8th, 2009. He was born on June 8, 1924 in Savannah, GA to the late James, Sr. and Camilla Wells. He was reared in a Christian home with his brother and sister. He was a member of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Savannah. He attended the public schools of the city and graduated from Alfred E. Beach High School in 1946. His secondary education was interrupted by a three-year tour of duty with the United States Navy. James earned a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University in 1950 and two master degrees at New York University. He did additional study at the University of Miami and Nova University.

Wells began his teaching career in Brooklet, GA where he also served as principal. He then taught at the Powell Laboratory School at Savannah State. Later he relocated to Miami, FL and continued teaching in the Dade County Public School System until his retirement.

At Savannah State, James met his future wife. He and Catherine Johnson of Orlando, FL were married on December 23, 1951. During this marriage, he developed a very close and family relationship with his wife’s relatives. In Miami, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bunche Park. He was very active in several clubs and organizations until his health began to fail him. He was a charter member of Gamma Chi Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

He is survived by Catherine, his loving, caring and devoted wife of 57 years; a sister, June E. Wells, Savannah; a sister-in-law, Marva (John) Waddell, Maplewood, NJ; brother-inlaws, Dura V. (Elena) Johnson, El Paso, TX; Franklin R. Johnson and Robert L. Johnson, Orlando; nephews-Kenneth L. Johnson, Tampa, FL and Jon Eric Waddell, Maplewood, NJ; niece-Corliss Marayne, Orlando; Godson-Gordon (Jacqueline) Pledge and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral was held on January 15th in Orlando. Interment was in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL with full military honors.


1 thought on “Funeral Notice James F. Wells, Jr.”

  1. I remember Mr. Wells and his wife. Mr. Well’s mother..Camilla Wells was my piano teacher. I took piano lessons from the age of 6 – 17 years of age. I still have all of my music books and composition books that Mrs. Wells wrote my assignment in. I will always be grateful to his mom and my mom who insisted that I take piano lessons.
    To his wife and family, I send my condolences.

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