MOUNT VERNON — Betty Ruth Wells, 96, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 5:50 pm April 27, 2024 at Green Tree in Mount Vernon. She was born June 23, 1927 in rural Waltonville, Illinois, the eldest of three sisters, to the late J. Norris and Carrie (Shelton) Baker. Betty married Eugene “Gene” Wells April 27, 1946 in Mount Vernon and had two daughters, Cathy and Janice. He preceded her in death on January 15, 2011.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Catheryn Stanford and husband, Eugene of Woodlawn, Illinois and Janice M. Senftleber of Bellaire, Texas; grandchildren, David Senftleber and wife, Jennifer of Houston, Texas, Gene Stanford and wife, Emily of Estero, Florida, Michael Senftleber and wife, Katherine of Driftwood, Texas, Ryan Stanford and wife, Trisha of Waltonville, Samantha Stanford of Mount Vernon, and Amy Senftleber-Makodoulos and husband, Pete of Fulshear, Texas; great-grandchildren, Colin Senftleber, Isabella Stanford, Lily Stanford, Isaac Senftleber, Aaron Senftleber, Claire Senftleber, Vivenne Stanford, Thomas Senftleber, Luke Stanford, Wyatt Stanford, Ruby Stanford, and Milo Makopoulos-Senftleber.
In addition to her parents and husband of 64 years, Betty was preceded in death by her sisters, Marilyn Irvin and Patsy McAddo.
Betty attended secretarial college in St. Louis and returned to work in Mt. Vernon at J.P. Devine train car manufacturing. Betty also worked at the Jefferson County Treasurer’s Office before becoming a school teacher at Campground School in 1954. She went on to Summersville Grade School where she retired in 1984. During this time, she continued her own education, earning her Master’s and Specialist’s Degrees in Education. Later in life she audited summer sessions at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England. Betty was a prolific artist with her paintings, stained glass, and counted cross-stitch. She was an avid reader her whole life and a world traveler that visited over 100 countries. Betty co-owned Tel Aviv Farms and Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens with her husband. She served on multiple community boards, including the Rend Lake Conservatory District Board. She was a member of many community organizations including Cedarhurst Center for Arts, the Jefferson County Historical Society, and Delta Theta Tau Philanthropic Sorority. She took real joy in her daughters, 6 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren’s busy lives and success stories. She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
A Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home with Mr. Howard Kraps officiating. Entombment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Memorials may be made in Betty’s honor to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Delta Theta Tau Sorority.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.