Frances Wells-Glymph

Frances Flowe Wells-Glymph, age 94, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. She was born on February 22, 1932, to the late Simeon Augustus Flowe and Lou Ella Garmon Flowe of Indian Trail, NC.

Fran’s family of six sisters and three brothers grew up as sharecroppers before purchasing a small family farm where they primarily harvested tomatoes. She played a variety of sports in high school with a particular love of basketball. Fran married Kenneth Maxie Wells in 1960, moved to Durham, and briefly worked in the insurance industry. Later, she worked at Holt School in various positions including bus driver and first grade classroom assistant. After her husband Ken’s sudden passing in 1978, she became the sole parent of three teenagers. Fran married her second husband Grover Glymph in 1994 and embarked on a variety of adventures including traveling the world, hot air balloon rides, and sky diving at age 65.

Fran had a genuine zest for life. She loved working in her yard and earned her Master Gardener certification. She was a proud member of the Homestead Heights Garden Club and a lifelong member of the Green Oak Drive Ladies Club. Fran stayed active in the Gerofit exercise program until the time of her death. She was a faithful, lifelong member of Durham Presbyterian Church.

Fran is survived by her children, Scott Wells and wife, Karen, Kelly Apple and husband, Stuart, Tracey Medlin and husband, Ward Flintom, and Denise Glymph, all of Durham; grandchildren, Kenneth “Maxie” Wells, Kendal Medlin Kimbrough and husband Jackson, Sydney Abbott, Katherine Abbott, and a great grandchild, Sawyer Edwards.

In addition to her parents, Fran was preceded in death by her husbands, Kenneth Wells and Grover Glymph; six sisters; and three brothers.

A memorial service will be held for Frances at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 18th in the chapel of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 West Main St. Durham, NC 27701. Inurnment will follow the service in Woodlawn Memorial Park, 2107 Liberty St. Durham, NC 27703. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00-1:45 pm in the west room of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Emanuel Food Pantry, 2504 North Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27704, https://www.emanuelfoodpantry.org/donate.html or Transitions Lifecare, Attn: Philanthropy Department, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, https://transitionslifecare.org/donate/.