Betty Joan Wells
January 9, 1930 - April 23, 2023
Betty Joan (Ooley) Wells, a beloved member of the Brazil, Indiana community, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2023, at the age of 93.
She was born on January 9, 1930, in Brazil, Indiana, the daughter of Loren and Ethel (Miller) Ooley. Joan was well-known for her kind-hearted nature and warm smile.
Joan was a proud graduate of Brazil High School with the class of 1947, where she excelled academically and was an active participant in numerous extracurricular activities including homecoming queen, yell leader, May Day Queen, and on the basketball homecoming court.
As a young adult, Joan worked alongside Dr. Pell and Dr. Phillips as a dental assistant, providing compassionate care to countless patients in the Brazil community. Her gentle touch and friendly demeanor put even the most anxious patients at ease, and she was often praised for her ability to make dental visits a pleasant experience.
Joan's love for her family was evident in everything she did. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always putting the needs of her loved ones above her own. Her strong sense of family values and unwavering support will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will cherish the many happy memories they shared with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents Loren and Ethel (Miller) Ooley; her husband Richard L. Wells; and two sisters Janice Louise Ooley and Agnes Ruth Tibbets; and a brother Lawrence David “Bud” Ooley; two brothers-in-law James Tibbets and Donald Thomas; sister-in-law Roberta “Bertie” Ooley; son-in-law William “Bill” T. Webb.
Joan is survived by two daughters: Kathy Deal (Jim) and Karen Webb; grandchildren: Suzanne Olsen (Keith); Jana Renner (Erik), and Evan Deal (Jocelyn); great-grandchildren: Avery Olsen, Emery Olsen, Carter Renner, Bianca Deal, and Sage Deal; a sister Jacquelyn “Jackie” Thomas as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Visitation will be at Lawson – Miller Chapel 1702 E. National Ave. Brazil, Indiana, on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Services will be held at the funeral home, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 1:00 PM with Pastor Jeff Bridgewater officiating. Burial will follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made, in Joan’s name, to a charity of their choice.
