Minister Claudia Wells

Minister Claudia Marie Wells, surrounded by her family, passed away on September 2, 2021, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

She was born to the late Molten Allen Harbison and Alene Lillian (Powell) Reynolds on May 31, 1948, in Manchester, a neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Claudia will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 50 years, Adam H. Wells II; her brother, Fred (Mr. Bassman) Johnson, who affectionately nicknamed her “Goose”, and sister, Helen Owens; children, Walter Wells (Pamela), Alene Boea (Raymond), Novella Thornton (Sylvania), Phillip Wells, Angy Dixon (Kurt), Nathaniel Wells (Tonya), Monique Massie (Aarron), Adam Wells, Jr. (Donna), Daniel Wells and Solomon Wells. Claudia was the foster mother to Nunicia Elmore, Malik Elmore, and Aubrie Greenlee. Mother of five generations, Claudia was blessed with her first grandchildren (triplets) at 36 years old. She went on to have (21) grand, (25) great, and (1) great-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her siblings Allen Johnson, Louis Johnson, and Priscilla Craig; her granddaughter, Phoenix Smith, and grandson, Marcus Wells, Jr.

Claudia devoted her life to the Lord Jesus, September 8, 1975, and spent the remainder of her days ministering the gospel as Pastor of Grace and Truth Church and her very own Prayer of Faith Ministries. She was an active member of Petra International Ministries. Claudia never met a person she didn’t try to help. She served others humbly, generously, and graciously. Claudia cared for, gave to, mentored, and prayed for an unimaginable number of people. She embodied “Love your neighbor as yourself!” Claudia was a powerful prayer warrior, and only heaven knows what a wonderful and eternal impact all her many years of faithful praying have had on her family, friends, and the world.

Claudia fought tirelessly to empower the residents in the East Hills community, where she lived for twenty-one years. As a member of the Second East Hills resident council, she advocated for the redevelopment of housing in the community. In 2004, the founder and president of the East Hills Preservation and Development Corporation, she partnered with the City of Pittsburgh and Telesis Corp., a nationally known firm that specialized in low-income communities on a $45 million housing project that featured affordable housing for the residents of East Hills. The initiative also included an after-school program for children, a program for teens, and family support and family crisis center. In honor of Claudia’s many years of service, Telesis Corp., recently announced they would rename the East Hills community to Prestigious Hills, as it was Claudia’s heartfelt desire.

Claudia was a Godly woman and an incredibly strong woman. She left a legacy to her family of God’s amazing love and grace and was an example to all who knew her. “May the Lord continue to watch over and protect is my faithful prayer” are words she bestowed often on others. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

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