Obituary of Carla Grace Wells

Carla Grace Wells, 66, of South Bend, peacefully went home to Glory, into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, from the comfort of her own home having been surrounded by family and loved ones. Carla was brought into this world on May 7, 1956, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the late Edward H. Cashion and Shirley (Bennett) Cashion. During the course of Carla’s life, she was able to impact thousands of people with her amazing artwork, demonstrating her focus on bringing Scripture into the homes and hearts of as many as possible. That Carla was an Accountant and a licensed CPA showed in the incredible symmetry displayed by each stroke of her pen and brush...always artistically “balanced”. Through her company, Carla Grace Design, she became known across North America for her beautiful and delightfully unique artwork crafted to encourage believers in their faith. Too, it was her desire to see unbelievers come to the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ through her art. She was one of the most caring, graceful individuals one could meet. She had the power to make people feel heard and understood. She had the natural ability to empower one’s strengths and strengthen their weaknesses. The life she lived was a great example of what it meant to be a Christian saved by Grace; putting Christ at the center of her life, and when going through tribulations she would lean on the Bible to find strength. The last twenty-two years were spent fighting cancer and the illnesses associated, but from the surface, many were never able to guess the battles she was fighting. Carla had an enduring spirit and even when she wasn’t feeling well, she still gave everyone the patience and grace they deserved, though sometimes from a distance as she did not want them to see her suffer. On January 1, 1999, Carla married her soulmate, Keith Wells, and their lives together, despite the ravages of cancer, was filled with deep faith, and amazing travel allowing her to ply her passion for photography. Their marriage was marked by uproarious laughter sharing the best of jokes and the worst of puns. The union of their families brought healing to both sides. Carla lovingly took on the mantle of stepmom (“Mama C”) to six children (even those already grown at the time) on top of having two of her own, and the transition remained sweet and fruitful. She was an incredible mother to eight fine children and eventually a grandmother to thirteen grandchildren…who absolutely adore her. She was a wealth of knowledge when it came to being an entrepreneur and as the kids grew up and were carving their own career paths, Carla was able to give each and every one of them loving guidance and encouragement. The life she lived was full of serving others in the name of Christ and the legacy that she left behind will have a ripple effect for generations to come. Preceding her in death are her parents, Edward and Shirley (Bennett) Cashion, as well as many extended family members and friends. Those surviving Carla include her soulmate and husband, Keith Wells; her two children, Jeremy (Ludy) Grace and Cristina (James) Barow; six stepchildren whom she claimed as her own, Kimberly Hamilton, Keith (Jennifer) Wells II, Timothy (Jennifer) Wells, Rebekah (Brian) Crenshaw, Jeremy (Priscilla) Wells, and Bethany (Chris) Lang; her only sibling, Edward Hilliard Cashion; as well as thirteen grandchildren, nine of them being step-grandchildren. A public memorial service will be held for Carla at the First Baptist Church of Mishawaka on Saturday, June 4, 2022. The public visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the service will begin at 12:00. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Mishawaka. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.