Obituary of Mary Lou Shipp Wells

Mary Lou Shipp Wells, 88, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The wife of the late Coy Edward Wells, Mary Lou was born August 28, 1935, to the late John and Lou Wash Shipp in Midway, Kentucky. Mary Lou was the owner and operator of Bristol Health Food Store in Bristol, Tennessee for more than 30 years. When she and Coy decided to retire, they moved back to Mary Lou’s homeplace in Woodford County, Kentucky where she would spend her retirement continuing to compose music, write plays, poetry and enjoy nature. Mary Lou loved birds and the peace they brought her while watching them. A member of Independent Church of God in Lexington, Kentucky, Mary Lou’s love of music extended from a lifetime of singing in the chior to directing the church choir. The flow of her hands so easily mimicked the beauty of the music, you could just feel the words washing over you as they sang.  

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Carla (Lanny) Huddleston, Donna Wells, and Randall Wells, all of Tennesse; her grandchildren, Sarah (Billy) Bishop, Katelin Wells, Brian (Abbey) Dailey, Tod Dailey, and Casey (Meghanne) Dailey; and her great-grandchildren, Blaine Bishop, Jolene Dailey, Cora Dailey, Robin Dailey, Rosie Dailey, and Noble Dailey. 

In addition to her loving husband, Coy Edward Wells and her parents, John and Lou Wash Shipp, Mary Lou was preceded in death by her brothers, Van Shipp, Russell Shipp, David Shipp, and Ben Shipp.  

The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to James and Jeanette Hicks, the staff at Lexington Country Place, and Bluegrass Care Navigators. Your care and compassion knows no bounds and we are so grateful for all that you have done for Mary Lou and our family.  

A Funeral Service will be held 11:30a, Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Clark Funeral Home, Rose Hill Ave, Versailles, with Elder James Hicks officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky. A Visitation will be held from 5:00p until 7:00p, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the funeral home.