Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503030001
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He was not like other children, because he was adopted. He says he felt special.
Today, at 45, Wells is on a mission. He wants to locate his birth mother, but only if she wants to be found.
Wells was born to an unwed mother at Lewis-Gale Hospital on March 8, 1949. He was delivered by a doctor in Roanoke and later given up for adoption.
The doctor, who confirmed information for this story but asked not to be named, knew that George G. and Elizabeth Hopkins Wells wanted to adopt a second child. So, when one of his patients said she was unable to keep her baby, he arranged an adoption with the couple.
"It was all done rather quickly and smoothly," Wells said. "Adoptions were more casual in those days."
Wells said he had a normal childhood in Roanoke, where he attended Crystal Spring Elementary School. George and Elizabeth Wells already had an adopted son when they adopted Wells.
"Our adoptive parents were the only parents my brother and I knew," Wells said. "They treated us both just like they did our younger sister, their natural daughter."
Although his parents encouraged him to find his mother, Wells never attempted to locate her.
When his adoptive mother died in 1971 and his father died seven years ago, Wells said he began to think about trying to find his natural mother.
"I guess I loved them so much I wouldn't have tried to locate my birth mother while they were living," John said. "But now that they're gone, I'd like to find out more about her."
Wells has contacted an adoption agency that helps adopted children locate birth parents. He knows his mother's maiden name, but does not know where she may be living.
"I thought that I may have some family out there that may be interested in seeing me, and I am interested in seeing them," Wells said in a telephone conversation from his South Carolina home.
Wells' family moved to Philadelphia when he was about 8. He later returned to Virginia and lived in Radford for a short time. Following a move to Greenville, S.C., and a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, he attended Clemson University, where he received a bachelor of science degree. Today, he is a construction coordinator for TeleCable.
Wells and his wife, Joanne, have two children, John, 7, and Emma, 6.
Because of his children, he said, he is especially interested in learning of his mother's medical background.
"I just want her to call me," Wells said. "But I don't want to intrude on anyone who does not want to be intruded on."
Anyone with information on John Wells' birth mother can write him at 400 Overbrook Road, Greenville, S.C. 29607 or call him at (803) 271-2414.
Memo: NOTE: Also ran in March 12, 1995 Current.