By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mrs. Wells

Martha Elaine Wells, a retired Cincinnati Public Schools teacher, died Monday in Winter Park, Fla. The Bond Hill resident was 83.

During a career that spanned more than 30 years, Mrs. Wells strove to instill a sense of responsibility and a love of learning in her students and in children in her neighborhood, according to her daughter, Dorothy Wells of Amberley Village.

The mother of six and aunt to the children of her 15 siblings, Mrs. Wells told funny stories about her own life and taught them history. She loved to laugh and had a knack for remembering names.

While she was a teacher, she also worked as a clerk at Becker's Drug Store in Walnut Hills, where she was called "The Becker Lady," for 19 years.

She delighted in seeing her former students in the store and keeping up with their lives.

Mrs. Wells was born in Byhalia, Miss., on Christmas Day 1919 - the 15th of 16 children born to Will and Alice Albright.

She attended the University of Cincinnati and graduated from Our Lady of Cincinnati College (now part of Xavier University).

Her husband, Fletcher Wells, died in 1970.

After her retirement in 1988, she bought a winter home in Florida that she made available to friends and family. A favorite in her neighborhood, her return was anticipated by her neighbors. She enjoyed walking, socializing, gardening, cooking and watching squirrels and birds.

Mrs. Wells was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Evanston, where she was a vestrywoman, senior warden and usher. She also was a member of the St. Anne's Guild and worked in the pantry.

In addition to her daughter, Dorothy, survivors include two sons, James Wells of Boston and Ernest Wells of Ontario, Canada; three other daughters, Mary Knox of Riverside, Calif., Brenda Wells of Pasadena, Calif. and Andra Surratt of Monfort Heights; two brothers, Alfred Albright of Winter Park and Robert Albright of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Mary Southall and Ruth Kelley, both of Cincinnati; three granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 10:30 a.m. today, followed by the funeral at noon at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1809 Rutland Ave. Interment is at Spring Grove Cemetery.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com