Sean Lee Wells (Lansing)

Humanitarian, Handsome, State Champion, Witty, Charming, Creative, Clever, Intelligent, and
Adventurous.
Sean Lee Wells: “The Champion”

“Yes I understand that every life must end. As we sit alone, I know someday we must go. Oh, I’m a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love. Some folks just have one. Yeah, others they got none.”
-Just Breathe, Pearl Jam

The life and immortality of Sean Lee Wells can be characterized by his essence as a loving son, a brave big brother, a caring and hilarious Uncle, a supportive nephew, a nurturing grandson, and an enduring friend. He made sure everyone felt safe and protected.

Sean was the oldest of six children to Carmen Jones and Anthony Bibbs Sr. Born in 1974, he demonstrated a deep love and appreciation for all genres of music at an early age. Carmen Jones was 17 years of age when she gave birth to Sean. Carmen recounts having performed several high school talent shows with what she called, a “happy baby in her belly”. She credited her wins to Sean’s helping her sing the Bill Withers classic Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone. “The stage belonged to me and my Seany”, Carmen recalled.

Sean would often be the “leader of the pack” in advocating for his siblings when they were younger. He would cleverly create lyrics and choreograph routines to his “jingles” and would have the siblings perform for their parents in an effort to convince them to allow them to have candy or to stay up past their bedtime. “If the songs are good enough, they will let us stay up” Sean would say. The jingles were always good, but never good enough for the requested candy treat or extended bedtime.

Creative, charming and comedic, Sean excelled in mathematics at school. During his adolescent years he would often recite multiplication facts or quiz his younger sister Nicole on her “times tables” just to remind her that he was the “oldest”, he knew more than she did, and to tout the importance of knowing “how to count math”. He would later invite his brothers to memorize the lyrics to Bobby Brown’s King of Stage and LL Cool J’s I’m Bad and recite them on a makeshift bedroom stage in a contest for best rapper. He would also teach them “code cussing”. He taught his sister Natasha how to cuss someone ‘without actually cursing’ “just say it like this, sister” he instructed, “go to bell you ditch”.

Sean (and his 5 younger siblings) went to live with and be cared for by his grandparents, Jim and Martha Bibbs full-time during the early 90s. His brothers and sisters described him as having lived out loud during this time period. He would often wake up the entire household by blasting Dr. Dre’s Chronic album, and his grandmother getting upset about the lyrics. “Sean, turn that crap off” She would demand. His younger brothers did not mind it, though. Together, they would snicker and just turn it down so that she could not hear it. Being the oldest, Sean controlled most of the household media devices. Therefore, it was upon Sean’s insistence that his siblings were exposed to Sean’s love for MTV and all music genres. Among his favorite artists were Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, Coltrane, Nina Simone, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men, and as mentioned, Dr. Dre. Sean insisted his siblings “didn’t know nothin’ about real music” and was determined they “listen and learn”. The 90s decade belonged to Sean, and his creative energy”, his brother Dre remembers.

“Sean was a born champion” his brother Anthony recollects. “We thought he was so cool in High School” sisters Nicole and Natasha added. Sean was a standout student athlete at East Lansing High. Playing two-sports, he was an all- state performer and a key member of the 1991 East Lansing High School State Championship Football team. “He found his chosen brothers on that team,” his mother said, “and he basked in that win for the rest of his life.”

After high school, Sean took to the “helping” profession. He was a camp counselor at YMCA Mystic Lake, did a year of service with City Year, and tutored in a variety of programs and cities including Chicago, Boston, Kalamazoo and Black Child & Family Institute in Lansing. Sean traveled extensively as a young man, taking odd jobs to make ends meet and to support his travels. Later, Sean served as an in-home caregiver to his late Aunt Tanya. He also nannied and provided care for his nieces & nephews, Tonie, Sarieyah, D. Nicholas, Se’Ahnna and his late nephew, Jeremiah. Sean loved working with and being in the company of children.
He also taught himself to play guitar. He later joined the Music Ministry at New Life Victory Center Church, where his father Anthony Bibbs, Sr. was founder and pastor. “Sean took pride in this role in the church band” his dad said. “He would often spend time rehearsing for hours on end”.

“To know him was to want to be around him” his family agreed. “He was my best friend”, lamented his brother Alfonzo. “He was always laughing. His infectious smile, laugh and comedic-like banters are the things that made Sean irresistible. His one liners would leave you laughing for years to come. His laughter, his jokes, and his ability to make light of any situation is what carried us through the toughest of times. “We looked to Sean for that”, the family reflected.

A self professed “skater by day and soul brother by night” Sean had a Necessary Roughness (like the Texas State Armadillos) about him. His depository of life experiences were rich, deep and wide. He was selfless, generous, thoughtful, music was his passion and the joy he got from creating it was something we all witnessed first-hand.

The tall dark and handsome guitar man had a song to play at the end of the night. Sean was the salt of the earth; he was well rounded, well traveled, eclectic and had a lot of rock and roll in him. Sean lived unapologetically and did not seek permission to contribute to the lives of his five younger siblings.

Sean found a way to authentically connect with every heart he encountered. He found the value and commonality in everyone he met. When Sean entered a room, his presence was felt. He was admired and deeply loved by his parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, neighbors, coaches, teachers, friends and even the mailman. It was as though he had never met a stranger.

He made his transition to eternal rest following his paternal grandmother Martha Bibbs, his maternal grandparents Marion and Jesse Jones, his uncle Kevin Wells-Bibbs, Aunt Tanya Wells-Bibbs, and nephew Jeremiah McPipe.

He leaves to lovingly cherish his memory, his son Asher Dunlap, his Mother Carmen Jones, his father Anthony Bibbs, Sr., (Stephanie), his Grandfather, Coach Jim Bibbs, his siblings, Alfonzo Wells, Nicole Wells Stallworth (Thomas), Pastor Anthony Wells (Saturn), Sgt US Army Ret. De’Andre Wells (Crystal) and baby sister extraordinaire Natasha Bibbs. His nieces and nephews; Tonie Wells, Joshua Robison, Sarieyiah Bibbs, Mckaylah Donewald, Jaela Bellgowan, Mieah Bellgowan, D’Andre Nicholas Bibbs, Mariah Wells, Se’Ahnna McPipe, Alexandria Leigh Wells, Anthony Wells, III, Zoe Wells, Caleb Wells and Jeremiah Wells. His aunt Diana Bibbs, uncle Andy (Daphne) Wells, surrogate brothers Randy Kinder, Rufus Jackson, Thaddeus Jackson, Kobie Johnson, Ben Williams, Amel Eiland special brother/cousinRyan Menefee. Godparents Tizom & Delinda Thomas, godbrother Rasha Thomas (Vontresse) and a host of cousins and friends.