Valerie Sue Wells, age 49, St. Petersburg, FL, and formerly of the Monroe area died on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 surrounded by her family at the Woodside Hospice Facility in Pinellas Park, FL following a short battle with cancer.
Valerie was born on August 16, 1958 in California, the daughter of Russell and Doris Schumacher. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1976 where she was actively involved with music, musical productions and cheerleading.
She received a bachelor's degree in music education from Northwestern Christian College and a masters degree in the same field from the University of South Florida.
She began her teaching career in Orangeville, IL, where she met her future husband who was also a teacher in Orangeville. On June 19, 1982, she married Michael J. Wels at the Davis Baptist Church, Davis, IL.
In 1983 they left Illinois and moved to Florida, where Valerie became a teacher at Keswick Christian School in St. Petersburg. At the time of her death, she was the Fine Arts Director at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg. Valerie was well known as a director of musical productions, choirs and performing groups.
Valerie was a devout Christian and actively involved in the Starkey Road Baptist Church. Until her illness, she was also the President of the Florida USMMA Parents Association.
Valerie is survived by daughters, Jennifer, 21, who will graduate in June 2008 from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, Elizabeth, 20, a second-year college student in St. Petersburg, FL and Michael J. II, 14, a middle school student. She is also survived by her parents, Russell and Doris Schumacher of Florida, her brother, Russell of Florida, and sister, Janet Wenz of Rockford, IL and aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. Her father and mother-in-law are George and Marilyn Wells of Monroe.
She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, who passed away in May of 2007, and her paternal and maternal grandparents.
Services were held for Valerie Wells on April 19 at the Starkey Road Baptist Church, Seminole, FL.
Memorials may be made to the Valerie Sue Wells Revocable Trust Fund at 6684 11th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.
"Her devout faith in God gave her an admirable character of strength and hope. She has touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed."
Valerie was born on August 16, 1958 in California, the daughter of Russell and Doris Schumacher. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1976 where she was actively involved with music, musical productions and cheerleading.
She received a bachelor's degree in music education from Northwestern Christian College and a masters degree in the same field from the University of South Florida.
She began her teaching career in Orangeville, IL, where she met her future husband who was also a teacher in Orangeville. On June 19, 1982, she married Michael J. Wels at the Davis Baptist Church, Davis, IL.
In 1983 they left Illinois and moved to Florida, where Valerie became a teacher at Keswick Christian School in St. Petersburg. At the time of her death, she was the Fine Arts Director at Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg. Valerie was well known as a director of musical productions, choirs and performing groups.
Valerie was a devout Christian and actively involved in the Starkey Road Baptist Church. Until her illness, she was also the President of the Florida USMMA Parents Association.
Valerie is survived by daughters, Jennifer, 21, who will graduate in June 2008 from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, Elizabeth, 20, a second-year college student in St. Petersburg, FL and Michael J. II, 14, a middle school student. She is also survived by her parents, Russell and Doris Schumacher of Florida, her brother, Russell of Florida, and sister, Janet Wenz of Rockford, IL and aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. Her father and mother-in-law are George and Marilyn Wells of Monroe.
She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, who passed away in May of 2007, and her paternal and maternal grandparents.
Services were held for Valerie Wells on April 19 at the Starkey Road Baptist Church, Seminole, FL.
Memorials may be made to the Valerie Sue Wells Revocable Trust Fund at 6684 11th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.
"Her devout faith in God gave her an admirable character of strength and hope. She has touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed."