Denise Wells passed away December 23, 2020 at the age of 65. She was born February 4, 1955 to Tas and Geneva Watson in Kingsville, Texas. After graduating high school in Fairfield, Denise received a degree in journalism and drama from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
During high school, Denise enjoyed drama in school and lifeguarding at the country club. While attending college, on weekends she returned to Fairfield to work at Little Sam’s (I-45) Restaurant in her yellow Volkswagen, making use of her CB handle “Sunshine”. She loved dancing and music concerts while attending college. After college she moved to the Dallas area, and helped start-up an aloe vera skin care and make-up company. She was stricken with Stevens Johnson syndrome in the mid-80’s, which began her gradual loss of eyesight. She went to school to learn massage therapy, and later had her own massage service. During her life, she enjoyed many trips with her parents to Arcadia, Florida and the Siesta Key beach to visit relatives each year. Later she enjoyed trips to the national parks in the West, especially in Utah. Denise moved back to Fairfield in 2011, living close to family. She became good friends with her neighbor Susan Patton, sharing their mutual love of cats as well as the “Peaches” Red Hat group in Fairfield for many years. She loved her Fairfield United Methodist church, and enjoyed many trips to plays and out to eat with the Seniors group. Despite her blindness, she enjoyed planting and tending her flowers, which showed her love. She also enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis, and watching NASCAR on television. After almost a year of fighting to overcome cancer, she entered hospice in December, with her daughter Neva coming from Colorado to care for her mom. She called her friends from out of town to come and visit and enjoyed their visits, the many flowers that were sent, and food provided by her friends. In consideration of these visits and a number of other factors, including Denise’s wishes that her ashes be carried to Utah, Neva and her immediate family will have a private graveside service there.
Denise is survived by her daughter, Neva Stephens and Zach Cotonuts, and their children, Kenai, Sofia, and Kion, who live in Cortez, Colorado. She is also survived by her sisters Jenny Calame, husband Jerry, and Connie Watson, and niece Maggie Bonds, husband Jerry, and their children River and Rainy, all residing in Fairfield. She was preceded in death by her parents Tas and Geneva Watson.
