Ralph Connell Wells, 79 Ralph Connell Wells, 79, of Andalusia passed away on Dec. 15, 2023.
He was a lover of both his parents, family members home town and baseball equally. The first born of Andalusia on the 23rd of March 1944. Ralph was one of the three boys to Grover Ashton Wells, Jr. as well as Orene Wells. Ralph was a part of Little League, Babe Ruth and high school baseball when living in Andalusia. He made it to Auburn University’s varsity and freshman team, and by the close of his college career, was a full-time scholarship as well as a name for third baseman. Auburn coach Paul Nix said in 1966 that Wells was the best player for that position on the field.
A large part of his reason for his success in baseball was the competition with his brother Ashton Wells Ashton Wells Jr., who played baseball at the University of Alabama. Later on the brothers loved watching their grandchildren play one another within local teams. Ralph wasn’t the first Auburn Tiger in his class that was selected by the professional teams. He joined the Atlanta Braves in 1966 and was awarded All-Star recognition in the training teams of their team. In the U.S. Army interrupted his playing career in the year 1967 when it was time to be drafted. His brothers, too, were military personnel.
When he was as a soldier in Vietnam at the time of 1968. His mother sent the baseballs as well as a cleat so that he could keep his arm in good shape. So, he joined the Braves organization in the year 1969. Following his first season that he played, it was the Braves provided him with a position as the assistant manager of business at Shreveport Braves. Shreveport Braves, an apprenticeship that was designed to teach him the basics of running a baseball team.
When the season of 1970 He realized that the position wasn’t for him. Although his career in baseball was over, throughout his life, he was close to the players and coaches whom he met at Auburn and with the Braves.
Based on his business education he received at Auburn and the University of Auburn, he went back to Andalusia and was employed by TPS Distribution Center, later CARQUEST for 37 years. The tasks he performed throughout the years included salesman in charge of sales, as well as the manager of market and business development. His job offered him the chance to travel the world and make new acquaintances.
He was married in 1974. was married Barbara Sue Sweatt Wells, and they were blessed with twin daughters Kristen as well as Kimberly. His brothers also had families in Andalusia while the lives and experiences of Wells children were closely linked over three generations. He was just as happy about the achievements of his nephews and nieces as he was of his own children.
Ralph and Sue retired with their spouses, Ralph and Sue. They spent their time mastering their roles as “Papa as well as Mimi,” attending their grandchildren’s school, church and sporting events, as well as taking care of them as much as their daughters would let. He was eagerly anticipating the birth of his first great-grandchild.
If you were lucky enough to become his friend, you were given an exclusive nickname that “Raph” was referred to and you could be sure to be welcomed with a warm smile or an icy handshake.
No matter where life took him wherever he went, his devotion to Andalusia was never-ending. He often claimed that his birthplace, raised as well as educated within the town and was given numerous opportunities because people in the community were willing to guide and teach him. By 2012, he had become willing to contribute back. The council was appointed to Andalusia City Council back in 2012, and was reelected in 2016 and in 2020. He described it as an “honor to his career” to be elected District 4’s representative. He was particularly happy with the city’s strong financial standing, as well as the infrastructure upgrades and reinvestments made in downtown during his term. When he quit his position on the council in the spring of this year the council and mayor decided to name the new batting center at Johnson Park in his honor.
His parents preceded him in his death, his brother Grover Ashton Wells Jr. and an aunt, Katherine Wells.
His wife of nearly 49 years is Barbara Sue Sweatt Wells and two daughters: Kristen (Russell) Wiggins and Kimberly (Keith) Dienstl; seven grandchildren, Riley Grace (Mason) Kelley, Maggie Ruth, Jack, Mollie Jae, Pitt and Ella Grae Wiggins, and Kolten Dienstl and his brother, Dr. Mike (Maria) Wells; sister-in law, Katy Sue Wells; nieces and nephews, Ashton Wells III, Amanda (John) Lanier, Maria (David) Pezzoli, Daniel (Laura) Wells, John (Kelly) Wells, and Sarah (Sonny) Maynor; and a variety of great nieces and nephews.
The family had a reception in Foreman’s Funeral Home on the Sunday of December. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 18, at 2:30 p.m. The service was held at First Baptist Church, where Mr. Wells was a member throughout his entire life. David Pezzoli officiated and Aubrey McKee sang. Two of the Mr. Wells’ granddaughters, Riley Grace Kelley and Maggie Ruth Wiggins were the ones to deliver the tribute. Funeral services, with military honors were followed by a funeral in the Andalusia Memorial Cemetery with Bro. Jack Armstrong and Bro. Garrett Davis officiating.
Pallbearers included John Luke Colvin, Andrew Clark, Elgin McMeans, Jacob Bryan, Jayce Smith, Walt Cook and Logan Cook who were the friends of his son Jack the majority of whom were part of his last baseball team.
The article Ralph Connell Wells was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
