Meet Thelma Wells

Known as “Mama T,” Thelma Wells was a feisty 82-year-old when she went to laugh and sing in heaven with Jesus and the other Children of God. During her life, she was widely celebrated—featured in D Magazine, Southern Living, The Dallas Business Journal, The Dallas Morning News, Significant Living, and many other publications—and graced television shows including Dr. Phil, The Joanie Show, Life Today, and The 700 Club.

For most of her career, she traveled to more than 20 conferences a year as a speaker. She was sought after by corporations, women’s groups, and governmental entities. No stranger to the stage, she presented to more than one million people and shared platforms with some of the best, including Zig Ziglar, Max Lucado, the late Rosa Parks, Kay Arthur, June Hunt, Serita Jakes, and—of course—her Women of Faith “porch pals”: Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Nicole Johnson, and international singer Sandy Patti.

In 2016, she spoke for Women of Faith on the final LOVED tour, traveling to 22 cities and reaching more than half a million women. Her passion was telling everyone they could “BEE” their best in Christ—a mission she carried out for over 50 years.

In 2001, she received her Master of Divinity from Masters International School of Divinity in Evansville, Indiana. In 2006, she was ordained upon receiving an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas Christian School and Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.

As if that weren’t enough, she taped her television show for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Channel 378, which aired each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Central Time. The program offered a fresh perspective on today’s issues for women through dialogue and teaching. She authored more than 40 books and training manuals, including Don’t Give In—God Wants YOU to Win!, Ready to Win Over Depression, Mama T Says…Rise & Shine, God, Give Me Victory Over Anger!, and her latest book, Listen Up, Beloved (available on Amazon).

Thelma’s passion was always to inspire others to “BEE” their best—never slowing down. Her latest venture was leading the That a Girl and Friends Speakers Agency (with her daughter, Vikki) to motivate, inspire, and invest in the lives of others.

In 2016, Thelma launched her GENERATION LOVE: DIVINE EXPLOSION conference tour. Her influence as a great-grandmother flowed from a mantle inherited from her great-grandmother, Sarah Harrell. Thelma delighted in seeing generations of women come together to stand for Christ. This conference encouraged women to bring their entire families, including girls ages 10 and up.

Months before she passed, she completed her final book, Olive Tree Wisdom, published by Moody Publishers.

Her greatest accomplishments were her family. She was married to her childhood sweetheart, George, for 58 years until he went to be with the Lord in 2019. On October 9, 2022, she joined him. Mama T was blessed with three children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren who miss her, love her, and proudly call her “Grammy.”