Doris E. Bell

Doris Ethel Jones Bell, born May 5, 1936 in Holmes County, Florida, went to her eternal home on March 30, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. Doris worked as a teacher’s aide and school secretary who wore several other hats at Glendale School over many years, finally working at the county school district administrative office where she ended her career as payroll clerk. She then retired to the farm. Known to her family as Mema, she was a farmwife, gourmet cook, livestock midwife, antique furniture enthusiast, therapist, source of endless family laughter, and, most importantly, she was one of the kindest souls ever to walk this earth.

Anchored in Jesus Christ and cherished Southern values, her days revolved around faith, church, and family. She dedicated her life to Jesus Christ as her savior as a child, and became a member of Leonia Baptist Church shortly thereafter. Once she married Jack Bell, she joined Glendale Presbyterian Church in 1954, and continued serving that congregation in numerous ways, including as Sunday School teacher for both youth and adults, and as the leader of the church choir - a role she enjoyed for decades. Her Sundays were filled with worship and family lunches. During the week, she tended to the crops, cats, dogs, cows, horses, goats, chickens, sheep, and sometimes even emus on the farm. With husband Jack, until his passing in 2016, she embraced farm life fully, including those occasional moments when armadillos in the flower beds required immediate attention. She was a friend to all and embodied the meaning of love. Her locally famous chocolate cake was just one of many examples of her efforts to bring happiness to others.

An excellent seamstress, Doris made her own wedding gown. She sewed for people in the community to earn extra income, made much of her daughters’ clothing, and for special occasions made garments for her grandchildren.

Her world was alive with reading and storytelling and the presence of her family. With great emphasis and a big smile, Doris’s stories were colorful and brought joy to all who heard them. With bravery and courage, she dealt with a variety of health issues and spent years caring for her husband during his long battle with cancer. Through every trial, she remained constant in her faith, choosing joy and trust in God even in difficult seasons.

Doris lived the abundant life many dream of and left behind a beautiful heritage. During her final years, she served as a source of comfort and calm in the storm for many, including those who resided with her at the Sodalis Assisted Living Facility, who may not have had the family support that she enjoyed. She leaves a legacy of love, service, and joy and a family which reflects the love she gave them at all times, a love she was determined to pass on to everyone she encountered.

Doris was pre-deceased by her parents, Luther and Vonnie Jones, her beloved husband, William Jack Bell, Sr., her brothers Frank, Ralph and Luther Jones, her sisters Pauline Whitehead and Myrtle Sanford, and sisters-in-law Joyce and Grace Jones, brothers in law Darius and Hubert Bell, and sisters-in-law Berthal Webb, Edna Ray, Lois Bell and Mildred Rogers. 

She is survived by her children, Rebecca Green and her husband David, William Jack Bell, Jr. and his wife Kim, and Connie Arnold and her husband Stosh, and her beloved grandchildren Andrew Green (Kisha), Michael Green (Skylar), Emily Barrett (John), Sarah Love (Ryan), Chrissy Morgan, Josh Bell (Abby), Aubrey Day, Donny Arnold (Lea), Ryan Arnold (Kristy), and Jilian Taylor (David), as well as her beloved great grandchildren Emery, Fay, Winston, Lainey, Jacob, Isaiah, Naomi, Ellie, Katie, Eli, Joseph, Lily, Mila, Evie, Warrick, Gideon, Tate, Jack, Waverly, Kaia, Hayden, Stoshie, Maverick, and Boone, and her treasured brother-in-law Devon Whitehead and sister-in-law Louise Jones, as well as a host of numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to add a note of thanks to the staff, administration and residents of Sodalis Assisted Living Facility, Gentiva Hospice Care and give very special thanks to caregivers Oletta and Olivia, who gave the most attentive care possible and much love to our Mama and Mema.