Wells retires after 29 years at Village Square Apartments

RUSSELLVILLE — Annette Wells is retiring as property manager after 29 years working to help residents feel at home at Village Square Apartments.

Wells began working at Village Square in 1996, just 14 years after the 64-unit complex first opened in 1982.

The property, owned by SPM Incorporated, primarily serves elderly residents and has long been a close-knit community.

“My cousin’s wife worked here before me,” Wells said. “When she decided to leave, I knew they were looking for someone, so I applied for the job. I’ve been working for SPM ever since. They’re a wonderful company to work for.”

With a background in accounting and bookkeeping, Wells said she hadn’t expected to spend nearly three decades in property management, but she quickly fell in love with the work.

“It’s been 29 wonderful years,” she said. “You have to love it to stay that long. Great people, great residents. We’ve had some wonderful folks here over the years.”

Wells handled everything from bookkeeping and move-ins to organizing community events.

Each year, she hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for residents. Every Christmas, she personally gave each resident a gift.

“The residents have always been so good to me,” she said. “They really appreciated me, and that meant a lot.

“When I told them I was retiring, several of them stood up and talked about how much they’d miss me and how helpful I’d been. That made me feel so good.”

Longtime resident Lorraine Freeman said Wells made Village Square feel like home.

“I’m happy she was here when I moved in,” Freeman said. “She was very welcoming and helpful. Whenever I needed something, she was there to help. She’s a very dedicated person.” Another resident, Vanessa Daugherty, said Wells’ kindness and commitment touched everyone.

“I would like to thank her for all her service and dedication to us here,” Daugherty said. “She will be greatly missed. We appreciate her so much. She has gone above and beyond what she had to do.”

Wells said she’s thankful for the many friendships she’s made over the years, including those with local firefighters who often use the complex for training.

“The fire department does a lot of training here, and I know all the guys there,” she said. “It’s been a great experience.”

As she steps away from her longtime role, Wells plans to spend more time with her parents, whose health has declined, and to keep up her family’s farm in the Blue Springs community.

“There’s always plenty to do — mowing, bush hogging, general upkeep,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude for the city of Russellville and everyone who supported Village Square through the years.