Sue Ella Boatright-Wells

Sue Ella Boatright-Wells, age 71, of Hiltons, VA, passed away on Monday, August 01, 2016. She was born on July 01, 1945, at Holston Valley Hospital, Kingsport, TN, to the late Walter Scott and Janie Helen Boatright. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, David Brian Blackwell, and mother-in-law, Barbara Brooks Wells-Honer. Sue Ella grew up on Stoney Creek in the Ft Blackmore area of Scott Co Virginia. She graduated from Dungannon High School. She received her associate's degree from Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) and her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from East TN State University. Sue Ella was a wonderful wife and closest companion to her surviving husband, Timothy Beech Wells, for 17 years. She was also the loving mother to her fur-babies, Rusty, Todd, Copper, and Flossy. She is survived by her sons, Samuel Francis Blackwell and wife, Kristin, of Kittery, ME, and James Clayton Blackwell and wife, Ruth, of Roan Mountain, TN, and grand-daughter, Chelsea Rae Theriault. She is also survived by her brothers, Scotty Boatright and wife, Melissa, and Bill Boatright and wife, Karen; her nieces, Angie Kenny and husband, Thomas and Paula Lipka and husband, Brian; her nephew Jim Boatright and wife, Cindy; one grand-nephew, James Boatright; and two grand-nieces, Zoey and Marley Lipka. Sue Ella was the Dean of Workforce Development & Continuing Education at MECC. For over 35 years she had been responsible for MECC's Home Craft Days. Her passion for traditional music led to the establishment of the Mountain Music School which over the past twelve years has attracted students from ages 8 to 88 and from across the United States, Canada, and Scotland. Every summer, students study the fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, shape note singing and song writing. She was also the driving force behind the creation of the Scott County, VA and Wise County, VA Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAMS) programs. Sue Ella was very active in the community. She served two terms as president of the Scott County Rotary and also on the boards of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Coalfield Development Authority as well as numerous other community organizations. In 2015, she was recognized by the Virginia Community College System for her outstanding community service efforts. A service will be conducted at 1PM on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the Mountain Empire Community College Goodloe Center with Pastor Will Shewey officiating, a eulogy will be provided by John Kilgore. The family will receive friends following the service and a celebration in music will begin at 4PM. Graveside services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Holston View Cemetery. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 AM. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. A special thank you to Dr. David S Morgan, the entire staff at Vanderbilt Hospital, and the Wellmont Hospice nurses. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sue Ella Boatright-Wells Mountain Music School Scholarship Fund, in care of MECC Foundation, 3441 Mt Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219