Ala Wells – September 13, 2012


Ala Wells, 90, of Amarillo died Thursday, September 13, 2012.
A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, September 18 at 3:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church with Paul Frederiksen officiating.  Funeral arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Ala was born July 3, 1922 in Elk City, Oklahoma to Virginia (Holland) Teurman and Deo Ernest Teurman.  Ala was managing her uncle’s drugstore in Gladewater, Texas when she met the love of her life, John Wells.  They married on August 20, 1944.  They celebrated 40 years of marriage before John’s death on September 10, 1984.
While John was on a football scholarship at University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, Ala managed several “ready-to-wear” stores to help support the couple.  She loved working in the clothes business and modeled for Neiman Marcus.  When they moved to Amarillo, she continued that passion and owned 2 businesses in Wolflin Village, The Village Maternity Shop (for over 30 years) and Joal’s Women’s Clothing.  She served as President of the Amarillo District, Pilot International Club.
After retiring, she became busier than ever as a volunteer.  She was honored in the Globe News as “Volunteer of the Day”.  She was active in the American Cancer Society.   She was a HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) mentor at Mesa Verde Elementary School for several years.  She loved reading to those children!  She also volunteered in her church nursery as a baby hugger.  Unable to have children herself, she nurtured and loved all “the little people” she met and was especially close to neighbors Ross & Gina McCausland.  She was like a grandmother to their 3 sons.
She and John joined First Presbyterian Church in 1968.  She was a very active member until her move to The Village at Ware Living Center.  She was a member of numerous committees and Circles at the Church.  She served two 3-year terms as an Elder on Session.  She sang alto in the Sanctuary Choir.  She was also Stewardship Coordinator and Presbyterian Women Coordinator.
Ala is rejoicing in heaven with her husband, mother, father and six siblings.
Survivors include special neighbors, Carl & Betty Jeans, Nick & Roberta Smart, Becky Drinnon and the McCausland family.  She is survived by one sister-in-law, Jane Teurman, of Sparks, Nevada.  She also leaves behind a loving church family.
The family requests memorial donations be made to First Presbyterian Church (for the nursery), 1100 S. Harrison, Amarillo, TX 79101.

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