We’ve all heard the phrase, “Oh, they’re such a gem,” to describe a remarkable or special person. To call someone a “gem” means they embody qualities of being exceptional, unique or rare. These individuals make Stone County, Mississippi, a compassionate, charming and distinctive place. We call these influential community members our “Stone County Gems.”

La Shonna Ramey-Wells, a lifelong resident of the community she lovingly describes as “small but full of love,” is our latest Stone County Gem. La Shonna was raised in Stump Texas, a rural neighborhood near Wiggins, Mississippi. She embodies the spirit of her hometown through her dedication to family, entrepreneurship and community service.

La Shonna credits her entrepreneurial drive to her mother, Linda Ramey Owens, who owns and operates Owens-Ramey Funeral Services in Wiggins and Beaumont, Mississippi. While La Shonna initially earned a degree in Funeral Service Technology from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, her journey led her in different directions.

“I grew up in it, but I realized it wasn’t my passion,” she said. Instead, she carved her own path, blending her love for business and family. “I’ve always had a passion for business and fashion and the business side has driven me all my life.”

After working as Deputy City Clerk in Wiggins and later at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, La Shonna pursued her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2000, she opened her first business, Tropical Paradise Shaved Ice & Treats, located behind her mother’s funeral home. Today, the business thrives as a cherished local treat, nestled between Stone County High School and Middle School—a prime location where community members enjoy their favorite flavored snowball.

La Shonna’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. Alongside her husband, Jerry D. Wells Jr., she co-owns Universal Transportation Solutions, a family-run business that reflects her commitment to providing opportunities and serving others. When asked about how they met, La Shonna said, “We met on a mud-riding trail riding four-wheelers. He asked me to ride with him, and I fell off into a mud hole. But I was still standing, and he said, ‘wow, she’s a keeper.’ And we’ve been together ever since.”

In 2011, La Shonna and Jerry embarked on the journey together to create something extraordinary—a business that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. Their story is one of perseverance, partnership and purpose.

The transportation business initially took root in 2007 when Jerry and a friend started with two vans, focusing on transporting Medicaid recipients to and from medical appointments. Four years later, Jerry’s business partner opted to pursue opportunities in Africa, leaving them with the chance to take the reins.

“Jerry told me the company was something we could do together and be successful,” she recalls. “So, I simply said, if this is what you want, I’m in.”

Today, the company services six coastal counties and has grown to include 15 vans and a fleet of dedicated drivers. They transport customers anywhere from Mobile, to Jackson, to New Orleans and all points in between.

“It’s all about helping people,” La Shonna said. “We transport clients to doctor appointments, dialysis treatments, pharmacy visits and so much more. Knowing that we’re making a difference in someone’s life every day is what keeps us going.”

The path wasn’t without challenges.

“Being a minority-owned business, we faced difficulties securing loans despite having good credit,” she shared. “Local banks were hesitant to take a chance on us.”

This hurdle forced the couple to dip into their savings. Their persistence paid off when a banker who was not originally from the area saw their potential and provided the support they needed.

Today, Universal Transportation Solutions is not just surviving but thriving. Recently, they signed their third major contract—this time directly with an insurance company, a milestone La Shonna describes as “big news to start 2025” for their growing business.

The challenges of operating in a rural area, however, remain a reality. From navigating dirt roads after heavy rain to servicing isolated communities, the logistics can be daunting.

“We still deal with washed-out bridges and muddy roads, but we’re committed to getting our clients where they need to be,” she says.

La Shonna’s favorite part of the business is the human connection. “When we hear feedback from customers saying they didn’t know what they would have done without us, it makes all the hard work worth it. They know they can count on us.”

Their journey also includes giving back to their community. In December 2023, they celebrated the grand opening of their new facility on East Side Road, a testament to how far they’ve come.

“Success isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about how you respond to them,” La Shonna reflects. “Eighteen years later, here we are, growing, helping people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and still making a difference.”

La Shonna knows about helping people. From 2012 until November of last year, she also worked as Receiving and Distribution Manager for FEMA. And in March, she plans on opening a second Tropical Paradise location, right next to the new location of UTS.

She also adores the local charm of Wiggins, from dining at newer romantic spots like Staigles and enjoying party venues like the Barn, to nostalgic comfort meals at the Frosty Mug, where her grandmother created a nickname for her favorite meal a “hamburgie.”

Her ties to Stone County have given her a love for traditions like Pine Hill Day and the appreciation cookouts in September and December she and her husband host for their employees.

La Shonna’s word to describe Stone County is “interesting.”

“There’s so much love and so much talent here,” she elaborates. “If you stop and experience it, you’ll want to come back and keep coming back. We take care of each other—it’s a place where kindness shines.”

For La Shonna, the people of Stone County are its true gems. “Confidence, honesty, integrity, passion, courage and consistency—these qualities define the amazing individuals here,” she says. “Wiggins has grown considerably, but it has kept its small-town charm. That’s what makes it special—and why I’m proud to call it home.”

Whether it’s her devotion to family, her entrepreneurial ventures or her deep community roots, La Shonna Wells represents the best of Stone County.