Gardenia Wells

Gardenia Cooper Wells, daughter of the late John Wesley Cooper and the late Annie Calhoun, was born in Kingstree, South Carolina on February 19, 1941. She passed away at her residence on March 7, 2026.

After receiving her education at Tomlinson High School in Kingstree, Gardenia moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and later to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she worked in several restaurants and as a housekeeper. In the early 1970s, she returned to South Carolina and settled in Florence.

She was a longtime and devoted member of the House of God Florence, Keith Dominion, worshipping under the leadership of the late State Elder Elijah Green and, for the last 29 years of her life, under Elder Bobby Hendley.

Gardenia was the widow of the late Joseph Wells. She is survived by her sister, Clara Madison of Baltimore, Maryland, as well as her bonus children, nieces, nephews, and many other loving family members and friends.