Valeria "Bobbie" Wells

Valeria "Bobbie" Wells, age 92, of Winter Haven, Florida, formerly of Marion, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Auburndale, Florida.

Valeria was born May 05, 1930 in Kent, England, the only daughter of John and Constance James. As a little girl, living near the Royal Air Force base of Biggin Hill, Bobbie witnessed firsthand the German attacks on Britain during WW II. She recalled going outside after the air raids and picking up hot shrapnel from the bombs and later wishing she had saved some of those pieces.

Bobbie moved to the United States in 1956 to be with her mother in Merced, California. She worked as a bookkeeper for Central Hardware for eleven years. During this time, she met her true love Charles E. Wells and they were married February 25, 1967 in Carson City, Nevada. They then settled as a couple in Marion with Charles' children, Larry and Sabrina.

In 1968, Bobbie joined the family business of Wells California Clothes and established herself as bookkeeper, buyer, co-manager and every customer's favorite little "English lady".

Chuck and Bobbie moved to the Lake of Egypt in 1980 and thoroughly enjoyed lake life until 2012 when they moved to Parkway Villa Estates in Marion, where they met many new friends and enjoyed gatherings with the residents. Unfortunately, she lost her darling Chuck to a stroke on August 21, 2015.

Bobbie always enjoyed working in her garden and doing yard work. She was an extremely avid reader but nothing pleased her more than watching wildlife in their habitat and feeding them if possible.

Shortly after celebrating her 90th birthday with family and friends, Bobbie's stepdaughter and son-in-law convinced her to move to Florida to be with them. She was very happy and healthy until recently when she became seriously ill and passed away.

Survivors include Bobbie's stepson Larry (Katie) Wells of Arizona and Larry's son Jason Wells of Illinois, stepdaughter Sabrina (Tim) Yearack of Florida and their children: Brandon (Justine)Yearack of North Carolina and their children Nolan and Hudson.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, husband and Step grandaughter, Alicia Yearack.

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Keith Owens officiating. Inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.

For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hospice of Southern Illinois.