Pearla Allene Wells

Frankfort - Pearla Allene Wells, 99, widow of Ralph Emerson Wells, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 29, 2022. She lived by the motto “I make the best of each day” and her smile could light up any room. She was born in Mary, KY on March 14, 1923, to the late Ernie Ray and Edith Patton. She was the oldest of fourteen children and is survived by her two youngest sisters, Priscilla Patton Collins of Cincinnati, Ohio, Patricia Patton Alexander of Campton, KY, and many loving nieces and nephews. During WWII, she worked at General Electric in Owensboro, KY, making radio tubes for the Army teletype machines. Years later, she became known as Mama Wells when she opened a daycare in her Frankfort home where for twelve years she cared for and loved each child as she did her own four children. In 1980, she began working for the State Department for Community Based Services, Division of Family Support-Field Services. She walked to and from work each day and became a beloved friend and colleague to many before retiring at the age of 85. She was a member of the Frankfort First United Methodist Church and faithfully served weekly in the church nursery for 40 years. She loved spending time with her family and hosting them for home-cooked Sunday meals where her fried chicken was a favorite. Other specialties included her infamous grilled cheese sandwiches, fried apple pies, homemade donuts, cinnamon toast, gingerbread, and fudge. She enjoyed tending to her home garden and passed her love of gardening on to her children and grandchildren. After the passing of her beloved husband, she went on adventurous vacations with her son and daughters. She is survived by her daughters Phyllis King (Monta), Alabaster, AL, Gwen Phipps (Jack) Frankfort, Mary Hudson (Mike) Frankfort, and son, LTC(R) Ralph D. Wells (Sang), Huntsville, AL; her grandchildren, Traci Tidmore (Matt), Jeremy King (Amber), Tina Gentile (Josh), Evan Hudson (Brittany), Kelly McClanahan (Ralph), Emily Mullins (Nic), Noel Hudson, and Nicole Wells; and her great-grandchildren, Olivia, Felicity, Caleb, Connor, Lyla, and Lily. We request that any visitors kindly wear a mask. Visitation will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at Porter and Sons Funeral Home in Campton, Kentucky, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2022. Services will be held at Porter and Sons Funeral Home in Campton, Kentucky, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, conducted by her granddaughter’s husband, Pastor Matt Tidmore. Serving as pallbearers will be Jack Phipps, Jeremy King, Noel Hudson, Trent Catilla, Nic Mullins, and Marvin Allen; honorary pallbearers will be Caleb and Connor King. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, Public Protection Cabinet, 500 Mero Street, 218 NC, Frankfort, KY 40601 or online at https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/finance/EKYFloodRelief Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Pearla Allene Wells

March 14, 1923 - August 29, 2022