Funeral services for Dr. Wendell C. Wellman will
be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at New Life Evangelism Center in Natchitoches. The Revs. Dennis Bjornberg and Rodney Boswell will officiate the service with interment to follow at American Cemetery in Natchitoches under the direction of
Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.
The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 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 Dec. 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; his daughter, Dr. Gerra Wellman Perkins and husband, Kendal Perkins, of Natchitoches and their daughters, Kate and
Caroline; and his son Dr. Gerard Wellman and his wife, Lisa Zimmerman Wellman, of Turlock, California, 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; his brother, Elray Wellman (and wife Sharon) of Lacamp; 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.