Plant Pathologist Wells Dies

J.C. “Jay” Wells, an extension plant pathologist for 33 years, died Nov. 10 in Greenville, N.C. He was 92.

After retiring from NC State, Wells worked for Kalamazoo Spice Co. as a consultant and traveled the world as a research scientist. He was a longtime member of Ephesus Baptist Church in Raleigh, where he served as a deacon. After moving to Greenville, he joined Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church.

Wells is survived by his wife of 72 years, Eloise Wells, of Greenville; two daughters, Barbara Wade (Jesse) of Pamlico Beach and Melinda Howell (Gary) of Merrill, Wisc.; and two sisters, Mary Prine (Gordon) of Gainesville, Fla. and Doris Goodwin of Americus, Ga. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday Nov. 14, at Ephesus Baptist Church, 6767 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 6:30–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Farmer Funeral Service, 109 2nd St., Ayden, N.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church or Ephesus Baptist Church.