Shirley Ann Bell

Of

Mrs. Shirley Ann Bell

Sunrise: August 28, 1939 Sunset: November 24, 2021

Memorial Service

Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 4pm

Live Streamed at HTTPS://SECONDBAPTISTSAT.ORG

Second Baptist Church

3310 E. Commerce Street

San Antonio, TX 78220

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Jemerson, Officiant

Shirley Ann Bell, age 82, passed on in the early hours of Wednesday, November 24, 2021, in San Antonio Texas at her home surrounded by family. She gained her wings peacefully in her sleep after battling metastatic breast cancer.

During her lifetime she was a leader, supporter, teacher, counselor, negotiator, trailblazer, sister, wife, mom and grandmother, but most of all a Servant of God. She was born in Ellisville, Mississippi to Mildred Simpson and later adopted by Comillious Combest, Sr.

Ellisville to France. Due to her fathers deployment, Shirley attended high school in France on the military base. Upon returning from France with her parents, Mrs. Bell attended her last year of high school at E. E. Smith in Durham, North Carolina.

She went on to attend higher education at North Carolina College in Durham, North Carolina, where she was the first female lifeguard at the campus swimming pool. The civil unrest in North Carolina at that time compelled her to march in several protests and participated in non-violent lunch counter sit-ins. Mrs. Bell earned her bachelors degree in Physical Education. She taught physical education in Durham North Carolina before relocating to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where her family settled after their final duty station.

Romance found Shirley while back home with family in Oklahoma City. The couple was introduced by a friend and neighbor, Wava Gatewood Cummings. They enjoyed each others company before getting serious and were married after a six-month engagement. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Eugene Bell, Jr. were married for fifty-five years. From this union they had three children: Clarence Eugene Bell, III, Kenneth Bell and Karen Camille Bell (Leija).

Victory was a running theme in Mrs. Bells life. Whatever she did she did for His glory. She had a way of encouraging everyone she met to be a better person. She always worked with a vision of victory and not defeat. She was raised in Gods light. She was inquisitive, articulate, inclusive, funny and social even in the most difficult times.

Mrs. Bell started her masters degree at Oklahoma University and completed her masters degree in Counseling at Southwest Texas State University. She accomplished her educational goals and touched the lives of many students throughout her career.

As a high achiever, Mrs. Bells notable career accomplishments include:

Accepting a position as the first African American educator at Star Spencer High School

Serving as a gymnastics coach at L.C. Anderson High School in Austin, Texas and winning several championships

Working as a basketball coach at Hobby Middle School with many winning seasons

Opening Health Careers High School as a Counselor, and ultimately retiring from Health Careers High School

Mrs. Bell was a true "people-person" and filled her life with family, friends, church, and social activities. She was a devoted member of many organizations:

The Satin Dolls of Oklahoma City

Second Baptist Church, where she was active in Deborah Circle, MLK Guild, Sunday School, Chancellors and Comfort Choir

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she was an active Life member and took pleasure in sharing the sisterhood with her sisters, daughter, daughter-in-law, and nieces

Delta Kappa Gamma Lambda Beta Chapter

San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association (SAARTA)

Texas Sojourners RV club, where she was an officer

She looked forward to regularly hosting friends in her home for Mahjong and Bunco clubs

Now, on November 24, 2021, the Master whispered in Mrs. Bells ear, "you may rest". She was surrounded at her home by her family as she obeyed the Masters voice. She was preceded in death by her parents; Mildred and Comillious Combest; her brother Comillious Combest, Jr. and sister-in-law; Marguerite Lewis, her mother-in-law and father in law; Sarah Jane Bell and Clarence Eugene Bell, Sr. and her nephew Aaron Combest, Jr.

Those who will forever cherish her memory are her husband, Clarence Eugene Bell, Jr.; her son, Clarence Eugene Bell III; her daughter, Karen Camille Leija and her husband Arturo Leija; her son, Judge Kenneth Bell and his wife Pamela Murphy Bell, Esq.; her grandchildren, Yvonne Camille Bell and Walter Murphy Bell; her sister Olivia Daniels and her husband John (JD) Daniels; her sister Danette Carr and her husband Matthew Carr; her sister Diane Combest; her brother Aaron Combest and her brother in law Dwight Lewis. Included in the many who will dearly miss her are several nieces and nephews, God children, extended family and friends who helped her enjoy a full and complete life.

Well Done!

Thy good and faithful servant. Matt.25:23

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Shirley Ann Bell. You may use the following link for your Donation: https://donate3.cancer.org/?campaign=search&gclid=Cj0KCQiA15yNBhDTARIsAGnwe0WW7fb8zBV8IoqbmmszrqB9wfXUsO3sJ9-eWRUzMQ038MUpglS_w00aAqicEALw_wcB

Honorary pallbearers are Jared Carlisle, Dannon Combest, Aaric Combest, John (JoJo) Daniels, Jr., Jaxson Daniels, John (JT) Daniels, III., Dana Lewis, and Joshua McClellon. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mission Ridge friends and family for over thirty years of loving support.