Obituary of Mallanese Kenova Wells - Starks

"Imagine stepping onto a shore and finding it's Heaven.  Imagine taking hold of a hand and finding it's God's hand.  Imagine breathing new air and finding it's celestial.  Imagine feeling invigorated and finding its immortality.  Imagine passing from storms and tempest to an unknown calm.  Imagine waking up and finding its home.”

Mallanese Kenova Wells loosened her earthly garment on October 21 and stepped into eternal rest, at home in glory!

Mallanese was born January 30, 1944, to Alvin James Wells and Lee Beatrice Wells (both deceased) in Columbus, Ohio.  She and the family resided in the Poindexter Village complex, named for Reverend James Preston Poindexter, the first African American City Council Member of Columbus.

It was through the Columbus City Schools that Mallanese received her education.  She attended Beatty Park Elementary School, Champion Jr High, and graduated from East High School. Beyond graduation she attended Columbus Community College and Ohio State University.

In the early 80’s, Mallanese moved to Nashville, Tennessee to care for her Aunt, Maggie Bodenimer.  As a resident of Nashville, Mallanese worked at the Meharry Medical School of Dentistry, a dentistry center of national excellence. She retired in 2010, and thereafter volunteered at the First Response Center whose primary focus is with economically disadvantaged and marginalized individuals.  She volunteered her services for over a year.

Mallanese worship, served and worked at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, a church where the "whosoever" in John 3:16 is the mandate.

She loved listening to music, with jazz and gospel as her preferences. Both evoked a happy and positive feeling for relaxing. She enjoyed going to the YMCA in the morning for aerobics and to swim. Walking Jacques, her Dog Baby, was a great pleasurable exercise.

In 2019, Mallansese married Catana (Toni) Rhoda Starks, the first African-American woman to coach a men's golf team at Tennessee State University. They enjoyed over thirty (30) years of love until Toni’s passing on September 6, 2020.

Two children preceded her in eternal rest, son Eric Wells-Parrom (2003) and daughter, Damita Wells-Hairston (2008).  Alvin James Wells Jr, her brother, also preceded her in death.

Surviving her passing are daughter, Belinda Wells-Custer (Columbus Ohio) and a sister, Portia Johnson (Duluth MN). With memories of her life are grandchildren: Jamia Wells-Palmer, David Wells, Jaye Smith, Erica Katherine Nakley, Nikeysha Johnson, Latasha Wells, William Bowers, Tumisha Wells and Essence Robinson as well as great-grandchildren: Cataleya Marie Cubellis, Luna Izabell Cubellis, Nicholas Johnson, Alexandia Doggett, Kylan Doggett, Tashanae Wells, Shawntel Black, Terrell Black, Nala Snipes, Cameron Robinson, Jr., Jaymon Smith, and Patrick Smith. Left to remember her passing are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives  friends and Jacques, her beloved dog.

Please keep the Wells and Starks families in your thoughts and prayers.