Obituary for Patricia Elaine Wells (Goings)
Brevard - Patricia “Pat” Wells died on 1/18/2020 from a worn out, but loving and well used heart.
She was the daughter of George and Lila Goings, who had high expectations and dreams for her. Her father, who had to drop out of school in the sixth grade to help support his family during the depression was determined for her to go to college. Oops! At 16 she fell in love with a sailor, Russell Wells. After graduating from high school at 17, she threatened to run away if her parents didn’t give permission for her to marry Russell. Okay! In July 1959, they were married. “They” said it wouldn’t last, but, in fact, Pat and Russell shared 57 years together before Russell’s death in November 2016.
She is survived by David, her oldest son followed his dad into the military straight out of high school. Pat was very proud of his successful career in the Air Force. David retired as a Major with a Masters’ Degree in Management, and is currently a Vice-President of Fresenius Medical Care. He later earned a Doctor of Divinity degree and currently lives in Cameron, NC with his wife Sharon, whom Pat described as the perfect daughter-in-law.
Lisa (Newman) made her mother proud with her many academic achievements. She was especially excited when Lisa was selected to be a congressional page in Washington, DC, while in high school and when she earned her degree in Mathematics at Western Carolina University as an adult. Pat and Lisa enjoyed a special mother-daughter relationship. Prior to his untimely death in June 2019, her son-in-law, Randy Newman was always there to help her in widowhood.
Mark had a special relationship with his mother, who strived to keep him out of jail during his teenage years. Shockingly, he became a successful IT Manager with Ballad Health. He retains his wicked sense of humor, often having embarrassed his mother. The embarrassment was even worse when David and Mark were together.
When Sabina, the first grandchild was born, Pat was so excited she travelled to Italy to see her. In later years, Sabina frequently did Pat’s hair in an outrageous style they named the “Made in Spain Dukie” hairdo.
Aubre kept her grandmother laughing with her jokes and antics. At the age of 9, while taking a bath, Aubre came running out of the bathroom yelling “Your razor fell off the bathtub and tried to shave my legs.” Fortunately, a transfusion was not needed. This was one of many episodes that made Pat laugh.
Pat was excited when Matthew was born, since he was her only grandson. He followed in his father Mark’s footsteps except that he never got caught for his pranks. She loved hearing about his misadventures.
Sarah, the last grandchild, loved her grandmother to the moon and back. Pat loved her back in the same way and cherished their time together.
Pat was happy that she lived long enough to have a great grand-daughter, Daphne. She didn’t get to see her very often, but they were close, and Pat loved following Daphne’s cheerleading and Disney adventures on Facebook.
Janice (Flamm) being only 2 years younger was always very close to her sister. In fact, when Pat headed off to the 1st grade at the one room Selica Schoolhouse, she grabbed her younger sister’s hand and dragged her to school with her. They later shared clothes as girls do. Pat would borrow Jan’s clothes, but would not let Jan borrow her clothes. You gotta take the good with the bad! Jan lives with her husband, Bruce in Riverside, California.
Sherry (Belich), the youngest sister (AKA Buckshot), along with sister Janice, was Pat’s travel buddy and partner in crime. The trio became wanderers. They had many adventures in Europe and took numerous road trips together. Sherry lives with her husband, George in Charlotte.
Pat and her two sisters bedeviled their baby brother, Ron, by dressing him in girls’ clothes and practicing make-up techniques on him. Luckily, he forgave them, and they have remained close throughout their lives. Ron was privileged to work with Pat at Greenleaf Corporation until she retired. Ron lives with his wife Vicky, who was very close to Pat.
Monica Driscoll, a childhood friend of Janice became Pat’s close friend, confidante, and traveling companion with Pat thinking of her as another sister.
The family greatly appreciates the loving care given to Pat by all the staff at both Tore’s Home in Brevard and The Solace Center in Asheville.
Pat’s love of salt was only exceeded by that of a cow. She loved Payday bars but would only pull off one peanut when you asked her for a bite. She was an avid reader, a flea market junkie and a fashionista. She loved Alan Jackson and all things purple, except, perhaps eggplant. She would be thrilled to know that she is being buried in a purple casket. Pat will live on in the memories of and be carried in the loving hearts of her friends and family.
“The spoon fell off the counter and hit the fridge.”
Funeral services will be held 2pm, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory.
Online condolences may be let at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.
She was the daughter of George and Lila Goings, who had high expectations and dreams for her. Her father, who had to drop out of school in the sixth grade to help support his family during the depression was determined for her to go to college. Oops! At 16 she fell in love with a sailor, Russell Wells. After graduating from high school at 17, she threatened to run away if her parents didn’t give permission for her to marry Russell. Okay! In July 1959, they were married. “They” said it wouldn’t last, but, in fact, Pat and Russell shared 57 years together before Russell’s death in November 2016.
She is survived by David, her oldest son followed his dad into the military straight out of high school. Pat was very proud of his successful career in the Air Force. David retired as a Major with a Masters’ Degree in Management, and is currently a Vice-President of Fresenius Medical Care. He later earned a Doctor of Divinity degree and currently lives in Cameron, NC with his wife Sharon, whom Pat described as the perfect daughter-in-law.
Lisa (Newman) made her mother proud with her many academic achievements. She was especially excited when Lisa was selected to be a congressional page in Washington, DC, while in high school and when she earned her degree in Mathematics at Western Carolina University as an adult. Pat and Lisa enjoyed a special mother-daughter relationship. Prior to his untimely death in June 2019, her son-in-law, Randy Newman was always there to help her in widowhood.
Mark had a special relationship with his mother, who strived to keep him out of jail during his teenage years. Shockingly, he became a successful IT Manager with Ballad Health. He retains his wicked sense of humor, often having embarrassed his mother. The embarrassment was even worse when David and Mark were together.
When Sabina, the first grandchild was born, Pat was so excited she travelled to Italy to see her. In later years, Sabina frequently did Pat’s hair in an outrageous style they named the “Made in Spain Dukie” hairdo.
Aubre kept her grandmother laughing with her jokes and antics. At the age of 9, while taking a bath, Aubre came running out of the bathroom yelling “Your razor fell off the bathtub and tried to shave my legs.” Fortunately, a transfusion was not needed. This was one of many episodes that made Pat laugh.
Pat was excited when Matthew was born, since he was her only grandson. He followed in his father Mark’s footsteps except that he never got caught for his pranks. She loved hearing about his misadventures.
Sarah, the last grandchild, loved her grandmother to the moon and back. Pat loved her back in the same way and cherished their time together.
Pat was happy that she lived long enough to have a great grand-daughter, Daphne. She didn’t get to see her very often, but they were close, and Pat loved following Daphne’s cheerleading and Disney adventures on Facebook.
Janice (Flamm) being only 2 years younger was always very close to her sister. In fact, when Pat headed off to the 1st grade at the one room Selica Schoolhouse, she grabbed her younger sister’s hand and dragged her to school with her. They later shared clothes as girls do. Pat would borrow Jan’s clothes, but would not let Jan borrow her clothes. You gotta take the good with the bad! Jan lives with her husband, Bruce in Riverside, California.
Sherry (Belich), the youngest sister (AKA Buckshot), along with sister Janice, was Pat’s travel buddy and partner in crime. The trio became wanderers. They had many adventures in Europe and took numerous road trips together. Sherry lives with her husband, George in Charlotte.
Pat and her two sisters bedeviled their baby brother, Ron, by dressing him in girls’ clothes and practicing make-up techniques on him. Luckily, he forgave them, and they have remained close throughout their lives. Ron was privileged to work with Pat at Greenleaf Corporation until she retired. Ron lives with his wife Vicky, who was very close to Pat.
Monica Driscoll, a childhood friend of Janice became Pat’s close friend, confidante, and traveling companion with Pat thinking of her as another sister.
The family greatly appreciates the loving care given to Pat by all the staff at both Tore’s Home in Brevard and The Solace Center in Asheville.
Pat’s love of salt was only exceeded by that of a cow. She loved Payday bars but would only pull off one peanut when you asked her for a bite. She was an avid reader, a flea market junkie and a fashionista. She loved Alan Jackson and all things purple, except, perhaps eggplant. She would be thrilled to know that she is being buried in a purple casket. Pat will live on in the memories of and be carried in the loving hearts of her friends and family.
“The spoon fell off the counter and hit the fridge.”
Funeral services will be held 2pm, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory.
Online condolences may be let at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home is caring for the family.