Friends and family remember Sister Sadie Wells, LDS missionary killed in Pennsylvania crash
Sweet memories from friends and family continue to fill social media sites as they honor Sister Sadie Danielle Wells of Kaysville, who was killed Tuesday while serving in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wells graduated from Davis High School in 2014. She was killed after a school bus carrying 32 students crashed into the car Wells and three other sister missionaries were riding in.
The bus, driven by Edmund Clapper, 68 of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania ran a stop sign and hit the passenger side where Wells was sitting. The three other occupants of the car were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One student was also transported. The bus driver was not injured, according to www.pennlive.com.
“Heaven gained an angel today,” wrote friend Camille Walker Hutchins on her Facebook page. “I’m so grateful for the impact Sadie Wells had on my life. Every single memory I have with her is a happy one. I was lucky enough to grow up with and be in the same ward as Sadie and her family for as long as I can remember… My heart breaks feeling like our sweet ward family is missing one its most precious members. I love you so much Sadie! Thanks for always being a friend to everyone, and making this world truly a better place.”
In an email to the Daily Herald, Wells’ close friend Jessica Booth said, “A lot of people knew Sadie Wells and how amazing she was. But a select few got to see her from the perspective I did.”
Booth shared a personal experience concerning Wells.
“I want to take a moment to relate the great kindness that girl showed me. In seventh grade, we sat next to each other in Mrs. Woodfield’s choir class,” Booth said. “She was hilarious guys, but even more so, Sadie Wells was the first person to encourage me to sing. She was a cheerleader. She had many friends. She didn’t have to talk to me. But without fail, every time we made eye contact in the hall, she would smile, or say, ‘hi.’ She always made an effort to see how I was doing. Sadie is good. Not just to her close circle of friends. Just all around good and this world will seriously miss her influence as I will seriously miss her beautiful countenance.”
After learning of her death, the Wells family released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our daughter and sister, Sadie Danielle Wells. We will miss her smile and vibrant, fun-loving personality. Our concern is for her mission companion and the other sister missionaries involved in the accident, and we pray for them and their families.
Sadie loved life and loved being a missionary. Her letters home were filled with her vibrant personality, love for the people of Pennsylvania, love of the gospel and love for her Savior, Jesus Christ.
We draw comfort from the belief that Sadie is with her Heavenly Father and that she continues the Lord’s work with the same vigor and enthusiasm that she did in life. Sadie ended each of her emails with the words of a favorite Primary song, ‘Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.’ We ask all to pay tribute to Sadie by living their lives this way.”
As with other missionaries who have lost their life in missionary service, the LDS Church issued the following statement concerning her death:
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Sister Sadie Danielle Wells, 20, of Kaysville, Utah, who died in a car accident on February 9 in Monroe Township, PA. Sister Wells was serving in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission since May 2015,” said Kristen Howey, church spokeswoman. “Three other sister missionaries were also in the vehicle and are currently receiving medical care for non-life-threatening injuries. We pray for the injured sisters and for the families of all four sisters at this difficult time. We extend our sincerest sympathies to the Wells family for the loss of their daughter, and to other loved ones, friends, and fellow missionaries who were blessed by her friendship and example.”


