Novice Jean Wells Bruner

Novice Jean Wells Bruner, a loving mother, adoring wife, and caring friend, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 23, 2024, at the age of 95. She joins her husband of 70 years George Wesley Bruner, II, who passed away on May 29, 2021.

Novice was born March 2, 1929, in Madisonville, Texas to Ted Wells and Lolen E. Francis Wells. Novice was the 3rd child of three. Brother Elon Edward Wells (Buddy) and sister Francis Yetive Wells McGrew (Sister) were her beloved older siblings. Two cousins, Harold Gene and Glyn (Mutt) Wells, lived with their family due to their own mother’s death, and the five children were very close.
Novice moved to Houston on December 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor. She attended Reagan High School and loved playing the tenor bugle with the talented Reagan High School Red Coats.

Devoted to children, and with a legacy of care left by her mother Lolen, Novice cherished her 25 years at Tallowood Baptist Church as a volunteer in the Preschool Department. When sitting on the floor with preschoolers grew less easy to do, Novice became an Angel Rocker. She enjoyed being in the rocking chairs, where babies would be brought to her to be rocked, loved, and soothed.

With a love of missions, Novice traveled domestically and internationally to share the gospel, cook good food, and help with building projects of church encampments and seminaries.

As a woman of many gifts, she was an excellent bookkeeper for the businesses she and George founded. She had an amazing memory for birthdays of extended family and historical dates. 

Novice is survived by 3 children and their spouses:  Georgene Baker and husband David; Philemon L. (Butch) Bruner and wife Janet; and Kimberly A. Kelly and husband Jim. She is survived by 8 grandchildren: Danielle Chavez; Ryan Baker; Kurt Bruner, Karlsen Bruner, Reagan Kelly; James Kelly; and (step-grandchildren) Jennifer Parison and Kelly Bruner. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and her lovely nieces and nephews.

Novice is preceded in death by loving husband George Wesley Bruner II; father, Ted Wells; mother Lolen E. Francis Wells; brother Elon Edward Wells; sister Frances Yetive Wells McGrew; son Mark Kevin Bruner; and stepson George Wesley Bruner III.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, June 5, 10:30 am at Tallowood Baptist Church Chapel at 555 Tallowood Drive in Houston. In place of flowers, donations can be made to Tallowood Baptist Church Department of Missions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or another deserving organization.