Melissa “Missy” Kaye Yeary Wells

Melissa Kaye Yeary Wells, BS ’88, died Feb. 4. Wells was born on Jan. 5, 1966, in Louisville, KY, the second child and only daughter to Dan and Melinda Yeary. Wells grew up in a house filled with love and joy born of an abiding faith in Jesus. Growing up with her two brothers, Wes and Doak, Wells was their cheerleader, both as their sister and literally for their sports teams. That spirit of exuberant encouragement characterized her orientation to the world for the rest of her life. She radiated the joy of the Lord.

Wells made her profession of faith and was baptized at South Main Baptist Church in Houston in 1974, where her father was the minister to single adults. Shortly after, the family moved to Florida. Wells became a Miami girl, building happy memories in her childhood and youth at University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, FL, where her father was pastor. She learned firsthand from the example of her parents what an effective ministry for the Gospel looks like. In 1984, Wells traveled back to Texas to attend Baylor, jumping in with both feet and loving every minute of her college experience, serving as president of Pi Beta Phi and eventually reigning as Homecoming Queen in her senior year.

After graduation, Wells returned to her beloved Baylor in 1989 to lead the Baylor Student Foundation. For eight years she shaped some of the best and brightest students at Baylor, imparting her love of the Green and Gold and her dedication to servant leadership to future leaders. She met Steve Wells, BA ’90, MDiv ’97, DMin ’03, in her first week in that work, and they married a few days shy of a year later. They shared 34 years together.

Wells’ greatest joy and deepest pride were her children Rachel, BBA ’14, Ben, BA ’19, and Josh, BA ’22. She developed special and unique relationships with each one, knowing just what each one needed: a hug, a nudge, a listening ear and always unwavering support. Like her mother, Rachel met her husband, Blake, at Baylor. No one ever loved a son-in-law more than Wells. When Rachel and Blake brought Fischer, Lila and Shepherd into the world, “Honey” found a new gear for love and joy with grandchildren. When she could not be in the same place as her grandchildren, she would FaceTime with them so she could play dolls, read books or sing silly songs.