Obit for Willodean posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger
Jun 6, 1924 - Nov 6, 2015

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Willodean “Billie” Wells, 91 of Norman passed away Friday, November 6, 2015.  She was born June 6, 1924 in Washington, Oklahoma to Jacob “Jake” Harland Garvin and Sabie Lou Bagwell Garvin.

Billie grew up on a farm outside of Washington.  She graduated from Washington High School in 1942 where she excelled in basketball.  She enjoyed basketball and all other sports throughout her life and was an avid fan of OU football, the girls’ basketball teams, and the Oklahoma City Thunder.  She attended Business School in Oklahoma City.

Billie married Robert Dale Wells in September 1942.  They had two children and were married for 62 years until the death of her beloved husband.  She traveled widely across the U.S. with her husband, a career Air Force NCO, as he was posted to numerous air bases across the country and finally to Hawaii, her favorite posting.

Billie regaled her grandchildren and great grandchildren about life on the farm before telephones, indoor plumbing, and the Internet.  She was proud of her tough but wholesome farm life and often recounted the “joys” of hoeing and picking cotton, driving the tractor to the cotton gin, washing clothes in a washtub on the back porch, milking the cows, tending the garden, and creeping into the dark cellar to escape the storms and bring up some home-canned goods.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, her life centered on her family.  Billie had a “can do” attitude, a great sense of humor, and a kind heart and generous spirit.  She was a faithful member of Alameda Baptist Church for many years where she participated in numerous activities.  She gladly accepted responsibility for organizing and managing the Alameda Baptist Church Visitation Committee that saw to the spiritual and physical needs of the church’s homebound members. 

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Sabie, husband Robert, brothers Wendell and Winston and sisters Winifred and Wynema.  She is survived by her children, daughter, Brenda and son-in-law Michael, son Gary and daughter-in-law Mary, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, three great- great-grandchildren and sister-in-law, Marjorie Sarrett.

The family will receive friends at Visitation from 4–8 pm, Friday, November 13 at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St., Norman.  Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 pm at Havenbrook Funeral Home with internment following at Washington Cemetery in Washington, OK.

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