Sarah Graham Wells

Sarah Graham Wells, 87, of Laurel, MS died Sunday, November 18, 2018, at Wesley Medical Center in Hattiesburg, MS of natural causes. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 8, 2018 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 541 North 5th Avenue, Laurel, followed by a buffet reception at Studio 550/Gatherings, 550 Central Avenue, Laurel. Private interment services will follow. Born in 1931, Sarah was the fourth child and only daughter of Samuel and Natalie Graham. Sarah was raised in Farmville, VA where her father served as the business manager of Longwood College. She grew up on the Longwood campus, surrounded by students and professors and who sparked her lifelong passion for learning and teaching. She was graduated from Longwood University in 1952 and began a career at age 21 as a teacher in Virginia Beach, VA. She soon met fell in love with a young Navy fighter pilot from Laurel, John Wells III, who became her beloved husband of nearly 50 years and who preceded her in death in 2003. Starting in 1967, John’s business career took her family to Jackson, Dallas, Connecticut, New York, Albuquerque and Tulsa before Sarah and John returned to Laurel and settled down for good in 1981. Sarah taught most grades over the years but especially enjoyed seventh grade science. She taught school in Sandersville and Laurel. In the mid-1990s she moved from Jones Jr High to PCS and then to St. John’s Day School. She home-schooled students for some years after that before declaring she was “definitely retired.” Charity-minded throughout her life, Sarah volunteered with the Junior Auxiliary, the Laurel Garden Club and made regular donations to the ASPCA and Laurel Animal Rescue League. She was a member of The Three Arts Club, The Little Garden Club, and The Daughters of the American Revolution. Sarah was an active member of the Laurel Presbyterian Church for many years and thereafter found a spiritual home with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Laurel. Sarah is survived by her son, John Wells IV, of Potomac Falls, VA, daughter, Margaret Wells-Williams, of Laurel, four granddaughters, Lindsay, Porter, Sarah, and Kate; two grandsons, John V and Brett; and three great-grandsons, Jace, Terrence, and Cameron. She was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Lyle Graham. She is survived by a brother, Louis Graham, and nine nieces and nephews: Lyle, Thomas, Dorothy, John and Natalie on her side, and Mary B., Ben, Pat and Elizabeth on her husband’s side, and their families. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Sarah Graham Wells

October 3, 1931 - November 18, 2018