On Saturday May 11, 2024, Jessie Ruth Bradley McNeely Wells celebrated her 105th birthday at St. Matthew CME Church, 7500 N. 76th St.
Jessie was born in St. Joseph, LA on May 16, 1919. She moved to Flint, MI after high school graduation, later married Charles Thomas McNeely, Sr. and had two children, R.L. and Tracey Louise and lovingly raised stepson Charles Louis, Jr. After the death of Charles McNeely, she married Emmett Wells in September 2007. After his death, she moved to Menomonee Falls, WI to live with her son, R.L., and then later moved to Milwaukee to live with her daughter Tracey, and is still living with her today.
On Jessie’s special day, she arrived in a limousine with her daughter Tracey and granddaughter Kendra. A program was done by the members of her church. Willette Bowie, Gladys Nevells, Precious Baldwin, Dr. Richard D. Shaw, Pastor of St. Matthew CME Church, Kari Lyons with musical group Joe Nathaniel, Rodney Brown, and Javon Wise. An Ode to Aunt Ruth was done by Warren Louis Buchanan, Nephew and Pastor of Berea Church of God in Christ in New Orleans, LA. A song sung by Annie Tate and the Praise Team. Also, music played by DJ Megan Matthews. Several proclamations were given, but Sheriff Denita Ball delivered her’s personally. Family and friends came from Rockford, IL, New Orleans, LA, Flint, MI, Los Angalas. CA, and South Carolina. Tracey thanked everyone for making her Mother’s Day a wonderful birthday.