Charles Edward Wells Sr.

Charles Edward (Ed) Wells Sr. of Roswell, GA, went to be with the Lord on July 6, 2018.Ed was born on January 12, 1926 to Robert Glenn Wells and Emma Louise Lawson Wells in Pacolet Mills, SC. Known to his friends as “Pete” while growing up in rural South Carolina, Ed graduated from Pacolet High School and worked at the local textile mill until he was drafted by the Army in 1944 during World War II. After completing basic training at Camp Blanding Florida, Ed boarded the Henry T. Gibbons and arrived in France 13 days later. Ed was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 422nd Regiment, Company F and began moving to the front to help fortify the Allied front against Germany at the Battle of the Bulge. When nearing the front, Ed’s regiment received word Germany had surrendered. Ed was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, 2 Bronze Service Stars, the WWII Victory Metal and the Good Conduct Metal.

            After leaving the Army, Ed moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began a career as a photographer. During the 1950’s, Ed was a staff photographer for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution photographing high profile news stories, daily life and special events. One of his most memorable assignments was photographing the Reverend Billy Graham for a news story highlighting Reverend Graham’s crusade being held in Atlanta. Ed went on to work for the Georgia Department of Transportation photographing construction projects across the state. A large number of his photographs were used in the GDOT publication Georgia Highways. Ed continued in the photographic industry doing commercial photography and selling photographic equipment before retiring in 1990.

Ed was married to Leslie Jennet Burch on March 24, 1956 and they had 2 children,Karen and Charles. Ed loved his family, God, music, baseball, gardening and homegrown tomato sandwiches in the summer. He was truly a man from the Greatest Generation.Ed sang in the chorus at Roswell First Baptist Church and enjoyed playing the organ at home. Ed’s love for homegrown tomato sandwiches in the summer led to his green thumb for gardening and growing tomatoes. He would begin his tomato plants from seeds and nurture them before planting in the spring. Some of Ed’s tomatoes would grow to 3 pounds and cover a slice of Sunbeam bread.

The Wells family appreciates the services delivered by Roswell Fire Rescue each time they had to call 911, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, Cumming Health & Rehab and Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Robert Glenn Wells, Emma Louise Lawson Wells and his brother James Levi Wells. Ed is survived by his wife of 61 years, Leslie Burch Wells; daughter, Karen Wells Burt, son and daughter in law Charles (Laura) E. Wells, Jr.; sister-in law, Juanita Thompson Wells; grandchildren, Jeremy Burt, Tina Burt, Amanda Wells, great grandchildren, Zachery Long, Harley Long, Jacob Clayton along with manynieces and nephews.

Ed’s service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA on July 20, 2018 at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Rd, Flowery Branch, Ga. 30542 in Ed’s name. Byrd & Flanigan Crematory and Funeral Home handled the cremation and burial arrangements.

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