Andrew Sterling Bradford Wells
January 29, 1935 - January 23, 2021
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Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello, AR 71655
Map & Directions
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Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello
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AR 71657
1/29/2021 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Map & Directions
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Graveside Service
Oakland Cemetery
N. Hyatt
Monticello
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AR 71655
1/30/2021 at 11:00 a.m.%>
Map & Directions
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Oakland Cemetery
N. Hyatt St
Monticello, AR 71655
Map & Directions
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Andrew Sterling Bradford Wells was born in Monticello, AR. to the late Loveless “Squally” and Nancy Mae Spencer Wells on January 29, 1935, he was the seventh of ten children and the last son born to their union. Andrew was christened at an early age at Pilgrim Rest A.M.E Church in Monticello, AR. He also attended the Drew Public School System. On September 8, 1951, he married Evelyn Evora Watson and this union was blessed with three children: Dorothy Louise, Andrew Jr., and Damian Tyler Wells. In 1951, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska for a short time then later moved to Chicago, Illinois where he united with St. John Baptist Temple Church as an associate member and joined the Senior Choir. Andrew worked various jobs: construction worker on the underground subway & Eisenhower Expressway, the Docks Pop factory, and ended his work career in Chicago as a foreman for the Samuel L. Bingham Co. Andrew had an extreme love for baseball, he played for the Chicago Red Birds, a black semi-pro baseball team, which became the first black baseball team to reach the semi-finals during tournament play. His team played at the “Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field. He was an outstanding centerfielder and played in several all-star games and even tried out with the Chicago White Sox. In 1970, Andrew and his family returned to Monticello, AR where he and his brother, Edward Wells, went into the logging business. In 1972 he began working as an independent trucking contractor with R. M. Courson Co., until he retired. Upon returning to Monticello, AR he reunited with Pilgrim Rest A.M.E Church where he served in several compacities. He served at one point in time as President of the Senior Usher Board and President of the Willing Worker Auxiliary. He also was a member of the Senior Choir and an advisor for the Celestial Choir. He served on the Steward Board #1, also served as an Altar Steward, a Trustee, and as Class Leader #1. He additionally served on the kitchen committee, lawn maintenance committee, and served as a mentor for several young men of Pilgrim Rest and throughout the community. On January 23, 2021, he was called triumphantly into the arms of Jesus Christ. Preceding him in death, his wife, Evelyn, son Andrew Jr., four brothers: LeRon, Hubert, Leslie, and Edward, and three sisters: Martha, Betty, and Shirley. He leaves to celebrate his life: one daughter, Dorothy L. Wells of Monticello, AR, one son Damian Tyler (Carrie) Wells, of Bentonville, AR; three grandchildren: Danielle Evora Wells, of Fayetteville, AR, Alexander and Christeana both of Bentonville, AR; two sisters: Dorris Wells and Lorraine Stearns; two brothers-in-law: Charles Wilson and George Lindsey (Reugenal), all of Monticello, AR; several “adopted children”: Joyce Wells (Dwight), Kirk Allen, Regina Spencer, Denetria Gardner, Sharon Matthews, Christine Collins, Kattie Matthews, Sylvia Russ; “adopted sisters-in-law”: Clementine Russ (special caregiver), Pearlie Arrington, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, AR with Rev. Chris Goodman, Rev. Kent Broughton and Rev. Graylin Wilson officiating. A come-and-go viewing will be held from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
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