Obituary of Theresa M. Wells

Theresa “Teri” Marie Wells, 78, passed away on July 25, 2016 in Roswell, GA. She had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born April 22, 1938 in Azalia, MI to Ernest F. and Doris Marie (Lafler) Pickens. She graduated from Dundee High School in 1956 where she excelled in athletics. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Eastern Michigan University in 1961. Teri played amateur softball for the Adrian Merchants and Adrian VFW from 1958-1963 and played in the Softball World Series in Portland, OR in 1961. She taught Physical Education, coached a variety of athletics and was the cheerleading and Girls Athletic Association advisor from 1961-1970 at Tecumseh High School in Tecumseh, MI. Teri married Dick H. Wells on July 11, 1964 at Tecumseh United Methodist Church in Tecumseh, MI. He preceded her in death on May 31, 2011. They owned the Monroe Motel in Monroe, MI from 1971-1997. In 1981, Theresa became one of the original founding members of Soroptimist International of Monroe County and resigned in 1998. Teri enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening and visiting friends and family. She was also a fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. She is survived by son, Patrick (Diane) Wells of Columbus, OH, daughter, Suzanne “Suzie” Marie (Cody) Barden of Alpharetta, GA, and three grandchildren, Piper Ann Wells, Colton D. Wells and Charlotte “Charley” Marie Barden. She is also survived by two sisters, Joyce (Rudolph) E. Studnicka of Mancelona, MI, Mary Rehberg of Dundee, MI, and one brother, Byron (Joyce) Pickens also of Dundee, MI and very close friends, Mrs. Mary Foreman of AZ, Mrs. Carol Kalamaras of CA and Mrs. Carol Toburen of PA. In addition to her parents and husband, Teri was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Franklin and Patricia Pickens, and brother-in-law Dennis Rehberg. While Alzheimer’s may have robbed Teri of her memory it did not rob her of her sense of humor and kindness. Right to the very end caregivers went out of their way to tell her family how much they enjoyed helping her and how nice and funny she was. Memorial services will be held 11:30 am on Saturday, August 27th at the Cover Funeral Home in Dundee, MI, where friends may call from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Inurnment will take place 12:30 p.m. at the Azalia Cemetery and a luncheon will follow at the Azalia Methodist Church