WEST COLUMBIA - Erma Katharine Holland Wells, of 2112 Beaver Lane, West Columbia, went to be with the Lord Thursday morning, May 25, 2006. Erma was affectionately called "Granny" by relatives and friends, but in her younger years her nickname was "Cap." She was 95 years old. At her 90th birthday party, one of the guests said, "She is the Granny everybody wished they had." Erma was born in Rusk County, TX, November 26, 1910. She married Hubert Wells December 12, 1931. Hubert died in 1971 in Overton, TX. They had one child, Frances Yvonne, who married David Ness and they gave Erma two grandchildren, Craig and Michele. Craig and his wife, Sari, gave Granny her first great-grandson, Joseph, and Michele and her husband, Toby, added two more great-grandchildren, Pierce and Holland. After her retirement from the Overton, TX, school system in 1977, she moved to West Columbia, SC, to make her home with Yvonne and David. The last two years she was a resident of Lexington Extended Care, Lexington, SC.

Granny is most remembered for her loving kindness to everyone. She always seemed the happiest when she was doing something for someone else, especially if it involved cooking someone's favorite dish. Sick people and shut-ins had their spirits lifted when Granny Wells came to visit with a tasty cake or pie. She was best known for her sourdough bread that was so good you didn't have to put butter on it.

She helped raise Craig and Michele and then Joseph. Pierce and Holland got special treatment when they visited from Florida. Her nieces and nephews made special trips just to see Aunt Erma.

Most importantly, Granny was a Christian. That was the foundation for her life. She was regular in attendance at church and Sunday school unless illness prevented her from going. Her living Christian example led to Yvonne, then Michele, then together David and Craig becoming Christians. Her family rejoices knowing she is in heaven. The angels are probably rejoicing also because they know a new cook has arrived to prepare their celestial food.