Jean Ann Wells

Jean Ann Bradley Wells passed away after a short illness at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, NC on January 12, 2021.  She was 91.

Jean Ann is survived by her three children, Ann Camille Wells and her husband, Richard Guinter, of Brevard; Carey Todd Wells of Chattanooga, TN; and Melanie Bradley Wells, and her husband James Schaefer, of Brooklyn, NY; two grandchildren, Carey Thompson Wells and Bailie Liqin Schaefer; and five nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Carey Teague Wells, Jr., a brother, Richard Lynn Bradley and a sister, Elizabeth Bradley Cline.

Jean Ann was born on June 18, 1929 in Waynesville, NC to William Alfred and Ethel Ross Bradley.  She graduated in 1947 from Waynesville Township High School, where she was a cheerleader and played clarinet in the marching band.  She attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA, graduating in 1951.  While at Brenau, Jean Ann was elected student body president, served as president of the Phi Mu sorority and, back home, was crowned Miss Haywood County.  Returning to Haywood County after Brenau, Jean Ann married Dr. Carey T. Wells, Jr., a Canton native, a graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry and a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.  In 1952, the young couple drove cross country, up the unpaved Alaska Highway to Anchorage, AK, where Carey was stationed during the Korean War.  Jean Ann taught elementary school in Anchorage before their daughter, Camille, was born.

Back in Haywood County, Jean Ann and Carey settled in Canton, raising their family, enjoying their friends and actively contributing to the community.  She was a devoted mother, a wonderful cook and an enthusiastic homemaker.  A member of Central United Methodist Church, Jean Ann maintained close ties with her wider family in Canton and Waynesville throughout her life.  Her circle of friends was expansive.  Away from Haywood County, she and Carey enjoyed traveling, taking trips within the US and to Europe, South Africa and Australia.  Jean Ann also supported and encouraged the travels, interests and varied careers of her children.

Jean Ann always managed transitions in her own life with resiliency, poise and grace.  After moving to the College Walk Retirement Community in Brevard in 2013, she was known for her charm, positive outlook and for generously sharing her chocolates with staff and friends.  For years, when people would inquire how she was doing, Jean Ann would smile and simply reply, "Perfectly perfect."

A graveside memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Greenhill cemetery.  The family will have a reception in honor of Jean's life following the graveside service at Wells Events and Reception Center beginning at 2:00 p.m., all are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to Doctors Without Borders. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

The care of Mrs. Wells has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.