Elizabeth Mae Wells

Elizabeth was born in Hurricane Mills, TN to Edd and Clara Goodrich. Being the second of six siblings on a farm, she discovered that she liked to make her doll’s clothing. This skill later turned into a career for Elizabeth throughout her adult life. Her mother and father brought her and her siblings up with a strong faith in God. The family moved from the farm into the town of Waverly, TN; where they met new friends, especially Josephine Spicer Shield and Rosa Lee Gardner. She attended Porch Reed Elementary School where she was the Salutatorian. In 1956 she married William Wells of Denver, TN; and in 1957 adopted the first colored child of Humphreys County Penelope “Penne”. Elizabeth, William and Penne moved to Indianapolis, IN to join her two siblings Daniel Howard Goodrich and Lillian “Babe” Porter. She had her own seamstress business for 50 years. Elizabeth was a member of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis and the National Council of Negro Women. Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 60 years, William Wells of Indiana; daughter, Penelope “Penne” Collier of Indiana; brother, Daniel Howard “D.H.” Goodrich (Catherine) of Indiana; sisters, Virginia Walker of Waverly, Leona Gardner of California and Joyce Turner (Houston) of Nashville; 3 grandchildren, G. Devon Collier II (Lia), Gemarr Collier (April) and William Collier; 5 great grandchildren, Dashawn, Cameron, Komari, Kingston and Colton; nieces and nephews, Beverly, Vann, Robert Jr., Mary, Steven, Danny, Annette, Nanette, Greg, David, Patricia, Michael, Michelle, Dennis, Karen, Wendy and Chris; and many loved ones and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Clara Goodrich; sister, Lillian Porter; son-in-law, Gerald Collier; and brothers-in-law, Charles Walker and Claude Bruce Gardner. Visitation: will be held from 1:30pm until service time Saturday, July 16th at the Humphreys County Funeral Home. Funeral Services: for Mrs. Wells will be conducted at 3:00pm Saturday, July 16th in the Humphreys County Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Walter Mays officiating. Interment: will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by the Humphreys County Funeral Home (931) 296-5955