Gail Newton Wells

85, of Little Rock, Arkansas died peacefully, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born December 17, 1936, in Hampton, Arkansas to Jeptha Oliver (Obb) Newton and Madrid Tucker Newton. Gail graduated from Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing in Little Rock where she received the honor of being named Miss Arkansas Baptist Hospital in 1956. She was a registered nurse, working for Arkansas Baptist Hospital, Dr. Elbert H. Wilkes private practice, and later at St. Vincent Infirmary. In 1969, she began volunteering for Youth Home, Inc, fostering several youths in her home and served on the Board of Directors. In 1980, she began working for Youth Home as the Facilities Director until her retirement in 2000. Gail was a passionate volunteer throughout her life, working with the Youth Home Auxiliary, where she served as Vice President helping to organize fundraisers and as a volunteer chairwoman for the Yellow Daisy Tea Room. Also in 1980, she received a Community Service Award from the City of Little Rock for her volunteer service with Youth Home. Gail was a long-time member of the Little Rock Racquet Club, later working there part-time. Gail had been a devoted member of P.E.O. Chapter CK since 1998, where she served as President and used her many talents to volunteer and fundraise for women’s scholarships. She was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, where she formed lifelong friendships in the Inquirers Class, served on several committees, and was selected as a Pillar of the church. One of her proudest achievements at St. Paul was spearheading an effort to design, create, and install 13 stained-glass windows for their own sanctuary, as well as two

windows for Return to Christ United Methodist Church in Ekaterinburg, Russia. In 2006, she was featured in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette for her work on the stained-glass windows. Gail loved nature and visiting the National Parks. She was an accomplished seamstress and cook who loved to host gatherings for family and friends. Gail was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 44 years, Walter Lewis Wells, her sister Carol Newton Brown, and daughter in law, Deborah Cordova Wells. She is survived by two children, Kevin Lewis Wells of Little Rock and Karin Wells Smith (Mike Smith) of Nashville, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Taylor and Sara Smith of Nashville, Tennessee and Audra and Alex Wells of Little Rock, Arkansas; brothers Tom Newton of Houston, Texas; Wood Newton (Gloria Newton) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Keith Newton of Little Rock, Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gail’s memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, November 18 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Road, Little Rock, 72207. Visitation to follow at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to P.E.O. Chapter CK Scholarship, c/o Ree Rauton, 12601 Hunters Glen Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72211. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Arkansas. To sign the online register visit www. bentonfuneralhome.net.