Procession “Amazing Grace”
Program Guide Sis. Sheila A. McCollough
Scriptures Rev. Jimmy Burse, Pastor of Holy Ghost MBC
New Testament Clinton, MS
Old Testament
Prayer & Words of Encouragement Rev. David T. Jones III, Pastor of First Calvary Faith & Fellowship Christian Center
Solo “My Soul’s Been Anchored” Brother Eddie Williams, Jr.
Friends and Family (2 minutes each) Sis. Sheila A. McCollough
Eulogy Apostle John Williams, Sr.
New Mt. Calvary Christian Center
Smith Mortuary in charge
Recessional
Just wanna make it to Heaven (“Well Done”) by Deitrick Haddon
Vonda Venetia Wells was born on Friday, April 30, 1971 to the proud, loving parents Anna Margaret Wells and Shelly Moore. As a child, her parents entrusted their bundle of joy to her maternal grandparents, Sidney Wells Sr. and Luella Wells. They spoiled her and taught her to be loving and kind to all she meets. With Grandpa Wells, they enjoyed their favorite after school snacks of bologna “boney” sandwiches, and often asked for coconut “hairy” cake. Both grandparents preceded her in death.
With her grandparents, she gave her life to Christ very early in life at Wells Grove M. B. Church in Clinton, MS under the leadership of Rev. Shirley Slaughter. After moving to Waukegan, Illinois, she became a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in North Chicago, Illinois.
Vonda started her educational journey at Hinds County Head Start - St. Thomas in Bolton, MS and finished sixth grade at Lovett Elementary in Clinton, MS. Soon after graduation she moved to Waukegan, Illinois with her mother (still living) and step-father, Bruce Franklin Smith Jr., who preceded her in death. The summer before her senior year at Waukegan High School in Waukegan, Illinois, she became ill on a visit with family in Clinton, MS. She returned home to Waukegan to learn of her medical condition: stage 4 cancer.
Vonda endured the chemo treatments while she worked part-time a few blocks from their North Lewis home and went on to graduate at Waukegan High. She continued her education at Grayslake Community College and received her Associate’s Degree in Accounting. She also earned her CNA license and worked for several agencies with patients in need of special care.
Vonda, a SURVIVOR, was told there was a great possibility that she would never have children. She beat those odds and became a mother to Brandyce Myesha Wells on Thursday, February 25, 1993 and, later, Lashara Tiara Mo`net Wells on Thursday July 17, 1997– the two loves of her life. She worked to ensure her girls had all they needed and wanted, as any good mother would.
In the summer of 2006, Vonda, along with her mother and family, made the decision to move back HOME to Clinton, MS, tired of the snow and sleet as well as wanting to show her girls the SOUTHERN way of living.
Vonda acquired a job with Regency in the St. Dominic Hospital and immediately found a great group of friends, some she would still call friends and even family (Fran Mays). Vonda would leave Regency to pursue other ventures in the private sector of caregiving. Vonda met many clients whom she cared for, cried with and prayed with, for she knew prayer changes things.
Vonda then picked up her pen and notebooks to start school again at Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS for Coding Technology; unfortunately, she had to stop due to illness. She soon thereafter tried a similar program at Antonelli College in Jackson, MS, but she became ill again and the college closed.
In spite of her prior prognosis from her doctors at a young age, Vonda loved and lived to the fullest. Even recently, knowing that her health was deteriorating, she continued in that same spirit. On September 12, 2003, she went for a routine check-up and was sent straight to Baptist Hospital. Who knew that three days later, she would go home? Only this time, it was her HEAVENLY HOME. ~I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (II Timothy 4:7)~
She was preceded in death by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Our Honeybee, our Piglet, our Smiley–and when she was hard-headed, our Vonneshia– left the following with us to cherish her memory. Loving mother, Anna M. Wells Smith-Handy, loving father, Shelly Moore Sr. of Atlanta, GA, step-father Sylvester Handy, step-mother Dianne Moore, and paternal grandmother, Laretha “Molly” P. Moore of Jackson, MS. Children: Brandyce M. Wells, Lashara T. M. Wells, a special daughter, Paris Funchess, and only son-in-law/love, Dwayne Wells Jr. Five grandchildren: Imari “Lou Gal” Christiana Wells, Jayden Hayden-Wells, London Brimage-Wells, Anna Grace “TuTu” Wells, and Kameron “CamCam” Wells. Brothers: Shelly Moore Jr., Kenyon Kilpatrick Moore. Uncles: Robert Lee Wells Sr. and Rickey Wells. Aunts: Jackie Wells, Vina M. Wells-Burkett (caregiver), Catherine Wells, Betty Wells and Gladys Wells. Sister-cousins: Patricia Davis, Robistine Jones, Lucianna Wells, Teresa Jackson, Sonja Kitchens and G. Elaine Wells. Special traveling friend: Michelle Jackson of Waukegan, Illinois. A host of other uncles, aunts, honorary nieces and nephews, cousins and friends from near and far.
