Obituary of Barbara Ann Wells

Barbara Ann Wells was born March 10, 1941, in Richmond Virginia to the late John C. Hardie and Hazel Wright Hardie McNeill. She departed this life on November 14, 2020. She accepted Christ at a very early age and spent most of her life responding to the needs of the sick and the poor. “Barb”, as she was called by family and close friends spent most of her childhood in Richmond with her favorite aunt, “Peachie”, and her cousins. She was educated through the Richmond City Public Schools, attending George Mason Elementary School and Armstrong High School. While at Armstrong High School she was a member of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), GSA (Girls Athletic Association) and was a member of the girl's basketball team. After graduation, she moved to Wilmington Delaware in 1959. She had two sons Michael Wells and Darrell Hardie Sr. (Kenny) who she loved. You could find her on the weekends having fun with her young kids singing in a brush with Michael playing the guitar and Kenny playing the drums as they were growing up. For birthdays, she would bake 7 layer cakes and would buy 40 cards on their birthdays to let them know she loved them. She was the spirit of Charismas setting up a tree with toys for the kids each year playing music and singing songs for the holidays. She was married to Charles Wells until he died in 1997. She was employed and working in nursing for over 40 years. She worked at over seven hospitals during her ten years in Wilmington assisting with the health care for ICU babies, hospitalized children, and adults. She joined Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist in Wilmington, Delaware. She always referred to the Cornerstone members and staff as family. At Cornerstone Fellowship, she served on over six boards and committees and was committed to making sure that the goal for each committee was completed. Although she was short in stature, she did not hold back when things were not organized and were known for her go get them sprit. She would lead the effort to buy and fill book bags and school supplies for the kids each year, visit the sick and shut-ins and serve food at the local missions for the homeless. Barb was caring, kind, and had a very funny and “colorful” personality. Next to God and her son, her closest friend was the phone. She could talk for hours. She was always there when we needed her. She gave of her time to care for sick family members and friends. She loved to shop and travel. You could find Barb and Jackie (her cousin) riding to a new mall or shopping outlet, Rehoboth Beach listening to Shirley Caesar, Lance Hawkins, and other gospel music. She loved to travel and take cruises with her family and friends, no matter where the ship was going. Her favorite travel site was catching a show in Las Vegas or traveling to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, or “touring” the Casinos. She was a member of the Red Hat Society “The Red Hatters”. Were she fellowshipped and traveled with her sisters throughout the country. She served on several committees and boards to help achieve the mission of the organization. She will be missed at the next family reunion because she worked very hard and made herself known to all family members. Barb loved to take pictures and selfies. She had millions of them. She was the one who captured the photos from generation to generation and as you looked at the photos you could see all of us growing old together. Accomplishing new goals, welcoming new generations to the family, and saying goodbye we remember you to the ones that pass on. Barbara is survived by a large family to mourn her passing and to celebrate her life. She leaves her precious memories to her son, Darrell Hardie “Kenny” (wife Yanic), grandson’s, Dorrell Roberts Sr., Darrell Hardie Jr. (wife Ashley) and Darius Hardie, great-grandchildren, Dorrell Robers Jr., Eden Hardie, Chase Hardie, and Kennedy Brown, sisters, Jane Wilson, Linda Mays, brothers, David and Dale McNeill, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her son Michael Wells, husband Charles Wells, parents John C. Hardie and Hazel Wright Hardie McNeill, sister Gloria Smith, and brother Dennis Hardie. Barbara Ann Wells, was loved by many and will truly be missed by all who know her and never forgotten.