Obituary of Grace Elizabeth Martin

Grace Elizabeth Martin

November 7, 1934 – July 27, 2024

 

To be held at the

 

Cremation Society of MN

1979 Old Hudson Rd.

Saint Paul, MN 55119

 

August 9th, 2024

12:30 pm Visitation

1:00 pm Service

 

Bishop Robert Pickering, official

Repast immediately after service

 

Order of Service

Prelude Music “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”

Robert Robinson

Processional “Tomorrow” Winans

Words of Welcome Lorraine Blake

Prayer Bishop Robert Pickering

Scripture

Book of Mormon Bishop Robert Pickering

Old Testament: Isaiah 43:1-3 T. Jackson

New Testament: John 14:1-3 T. Jackson

Song “HE” Lester W. Collins

Resolutions/Acknowledgment of

Condolences Lorraine Blake

Portrait of Life Read in silence

(reading of obituary)

Tributes to Grace (2 minutes)

Song “I need an Angel” Ruben Studdard

Eulogy Lorraine Blake

Song “Take me to the King” Tamela Mann

Committal of the Body

Blessings/Benediction

Song “I’m Blessed” Charlie Wilson

 

Grace Elizabeth (Gibson) Wells, Martin passed away on Saturday, July 27^th, 2024 at Regions Hospital Saint Paul, MN with a band of 16 angels caring for her.  Mother was the second daughter born to Thomas Elegant Gibson & Catherine Lucy Mayes, with God’s permission on November 7, 1934, in Omaha, Nebraska.   Grace accepted Christ at an early age, being a member at both the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Christ Temple Holiness Church, of Omaha, NE. 

 

She attended Central High School and was involved in all things sports.  If asked mom would tell you that she was taught how to swing a bat and slide the bases by the famous Bob Gibson and his older brother Josh, and that Josh was the better player.

 

She married Leslie W. Wells, Sr. on June 23, 1951.  Mom received her CDL but never drove the big rigs, according to her she had two occupations raising her eight children and later in life driving school bus full of others children. 

 

When she moved to Minnesota she was active in the Rondo Community, she became a member of the Magnificent Golden Agers participating in their outings including the Annual Spring Tea at this year’s event her family sat five generations. She attended five plays at the acclaimed Penumbra Theatre; she attended the Lynx playoff games. Mom was a guest at CHS Field for the Saints opener in the Securian Club. Desirae & I celebrated moms 88^th birthday at the Channel 9 Jason Show.

 

Most family members witnessed and participated in her love for coloring books and puzzles. Her favorite saying was “See later alligator, after a while crocodile” & S _ _ _...

 

Preceding her in death are her parents; her former husband Leslie W. Wells, Sr.; son Derrick Eugene; Grandchildren Travis, ViGetta, Terry Len, Tyree, Mauricio, Sr.; Great Grandchildren Charlyse, Koren & DeAndre; her Aunts: Lucy “Mover” Catherine, & Ruth, Uncle Slim; cousin Frances.

 

Surviving family members her sisters: Rosalia “Rags” Russ, Candace Foster, brothers: Ray Gibson, Powell and Darrell Bell; children: Leslie Wardell Jr., (Loria), Davenport, IA., Cheryl Ann, Woodbury, MN, Yvonne Donita, (Charles) Ellis, St. Paul, MN, Cathleen Nanette, Omaha, NE, Renee Elizabeth Brooklyn Park, MN, Robin Orlando, Omaha, NE, and Tracey Eileen, Bloomington, MN. 

 

She was blessed with 35 grandchildren: Brian, TiAnn, Sofia, Tionna, Tiffiany LaChahn, Leslie, Andrea, Desirae, Termaine, Courtney, Coretta, Rolisha, Concepcion, Paris, Sherice, Yolanda, Cha’Vonne, Brandy, Christian, Brittany, Charles, Carla, LaTasha, Gjornae, Bianca, Alexis, Robin, Adrianne and Cheyenne. 

 

57 Great-Grandchildren, and 5 Great Great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins Arlivia & Thell Dunson.

 

To My Family

 

Death

(Harry Scott Holland)

1847-1918

 

Death is nothing at all.  I have only slipped away into the next room.  I am I, and you are you.  Whatever, we were to each other that

we still are.

 

Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you used to.  Put no difference in your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.  Laugh as we have always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.  Pray, smile, think of me and pray for me.

 

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.  Life means all that it ever meant.  It is the same as it ever meant.  It is the same as it ever was: there is unbroken continuity.  Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?  I am waiting for you, for the interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

 

As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore

I know He’ll lead me safely to that blessed

place he has prepared.  But if the storms don’t cease and if the wind keeps blowing know

My soul has been anchored in the Lord.

 

Grace Elizabeth Wells-Martin

 

Honorary Pallbearers

 

Howard Kirkwood              Chuck Ellis

Ja’Von Wells                 Ashland Ellis

Carlya Watkins                Carl Watkins       

    

 

Acknowledgment of Gratitude

 

We humbly express our sincere appreciation to Bishop Robert Pickering, Lorraine Blake, and Tracey Sletten, (she enjoyed their bible study fellowship) and the Jesus Christ & Latter Day Saints. Sister Tyona, and the Sisters of the Eastern Star, Mpls, MN for their stewardship. The Women of the Magnificent Golden Agers, under the guidance of President Sandra. Our immediate and extended family (those who traveled to be here with us and those who could not attend), our friends, our colleagues and their families for all your prayers, and each expression of sympathy, flowers, cards and every act of kindness, and financial assistance extended to us during the period of our beloveds’ illness and at this difficult hour. 

 

Our pray is that ‘God continue to bless each of you with His loving kindness.’ Thank you.

 

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