Dr. Wendell Clifford Wellman

Funeral services for Dr. Wendell C. Wellman will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017, at 1:00 pm at New Life Evangelism Center in Natchitoches, LA. Revs. Dennis Bjornberg and Rodney Boswell will officiate the service; interment will follow at American Cemetery in Natchitoches under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 2nd from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at New Life Evangelism Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tupelo Children’s Mansion, the New Life Evangelism Center Building Fund, or the Wendell Wellman Memorial Scholarship established through the Northwestern State University Foundation. Dr. Wendell Clifford Wellman was born on December 24, 1950 to Riley Clifford and Reddie Dee Wellman. A 1968 graduate of Hicks High School, Dr. Wellman went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana Monroe – where he married Nelda, the love of his life – a master’s degree from Northwestern State University and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Wellman, or “Doc” to his students, was an Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Leadership program at NSU. Preceded in death by his parents, Riley and Reddie Wellman, and granddaughter Anne Alexandra Perkins, Dr. Wellman is survived by his wife of 46 years, Dr. Nelda Self Wellman of Natchitoches, LA; his daughter, Dr. Gerra Wellman Perkins and husband Kendal Perkins of Natchitoches, LA and their daughters, Kate and Caroline; and his son Dr. Gerard Wellman and his wife Lisa Zimmerman Wellman of Turlock, CA and their three sons, Grant, Riley, and Owen. He is survived by three sisters, Hannah Leonard, Glenda Lewis, and Shandra Hood (and husband Glen) of Leesville, LA; his brother, Elray Wellman (and wife Sharon) of Lacamp, LA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Among the many who held a special place in Wendell’s heart are his wife’s family, his church family, and his NSU family. With the motto, “If a little is good, a lot is better,” Wendell embraced life, and there was nothing he loved more than large family gatherings – campmeetings in Tioga, Christmas festivities at Lacamp and Natchitoches, cross-country trips in an RV; in other words, any excuse to eat, tease, swap embellished stories, tell jokes, and laugh. He enjoyed traveling to the mountains – preferably in Arkansas – and embarking on cruises to any destination. With a strongly pronounced sense of adventure, and frequently over the stated objections of his wife, Wendell sought out novel experiences; if there was an element of risk involved, so much the better. A few of his more notable accomplishments include skydiving at age 52, climbing Chichen Itza in Mexico, and ziplining through the Jamaican jungle. Over the past ten years, the center of his world revolved around his grandchildren, whom he adored. Known alternately as “Pop” and “Poppa,” he was a doting grandfather who was convinced his little angels could do no wrong. His grandchildren will remember frequent breakfast dates and trips to buy donuts and frozen yogurt. Wendell’s fun-loving nature meant providing them rides on any wheeled object – tractors, wagons, golf carts, and automobiles to name a few – and playing games, both real and made-up. A lifelong member of the United Pentecostal Church, Wendell enjoyed the fellowship of his church family and served in various leadership capacities throughout his life. As many people attest, he especially enjoyed debating Biblical concepts with anyone who would engage. In both church and educational settings, Wendell had a passion for working with people and helping them develop their unique talents and strengths. Wendell and his wife Nelda shared a love of educating generations of students. As a teacher and professor, his classes were filled with laughter as he made personal connections with his students. Many have shared that he instilled self-confidence and purpose and challenged them to think critically. A strong believer in the power of knowledge, he inspired generations of students to pursue their dreams through higher education. Wendell loved a good bargain; “If a little is good, a lot is better.” There was nothing he wouldn’t buy, and in multiples, for the right price. One need look no further than the 20 bushels of peas in his freezer – alongside the 10 frozen turkeys – to the golf cart collection in his driveway. He extended this philosophy to cars purchased on eBay, and house remodelings as well, leaving a legacy of refurbished houses throughout the region The next time you make a bulk purchase of an item you won’t use, remember his favorite phrase, “If a little is good, a lot is better.” The next time you contemplate higher education, remember, “If a little is good, a lot is better.” And in your pursuit of God and spiritual things, he’d want you to remember, “If a little is good, a lot is better.”