Virginia Acree Barcus Bell

Virginia Acree Barcus Bell Virginia Bell, 90, of Austin passed away Tuesday, September 28, 2004. Virginia was born February 3, 1914 in Moody, Texas, the third child of Fred Acree and Anna Byrd McLeod Acree. Virginia, known as ”Snooks” to family and friends, was raised, along with her brother and sister, in Moody and Waco before attending Ranger Junior College and graduating from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. After graduation, Virginia taught school in Ranger before marrying John McFerrin Barcus, an attorney from Georgetown, who also graduated from Southwestern University. Virginia and John moved to Austin, working and raising their family until John Barcus’ death in 1959. Virginia taught school in Austin for 25 years at Metz and Ridgetop Elementary Schools. She was a wonderful teacher and was much loved by her students, their parents and her student teachers. After her retirement, Virginia married Spurgeon E. Bell, a distinguished Judge and professor at South Texas College of Law. Virginia and Spurgeon enjoyed over 20 years of marriage, living in Houston but never losing touch with Austin. After Spurgeon’s death in 1996, she returned to Austin to live near her children and grandchildren. Virginia was generous, funny and feisty. She loved social gatherings and she and Spurgeon enjoyed attending Bar Association meetings. Virginia and Spurgeon loved to travel and made numerous trips to Europe and the Far East. Virginia was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and of Delta Delta Delta sorority where she had deep roots and many friends. She was active in University United Methodist Church while raising her family and recently has been a member at Tarrytown United Methodist Church. Virginia was also a staunch and devoted Democrat and not at all hesitant to let anyone know how she felt about politics. Her parents, Fred and Anna Byrd Acree, her brother, Fred Acree, Jr., her husband, John Barcus and her husband, Spurgeon Bell preceded Virginia in death. She is survived by her sister, Kathryn Allison, her children, Laura McCowan, Mary Margaret Wells and her husband Joe, Jeannie Strange and her husband Tom, her grandchildren, Jack McCowan, Jennifer Wells Childers and her husband Cecil, Dr. Joe Wells, III and his wife Becky, John Wells and his wife Debra, Linda Virginia Strange, Mary Ruth Strange Howard and her husband Chris, and her great grandchildren, Caroline and Sarah Wells, Claire and Ben Childers, Sam, Anna Kate, and Phoenix Wells, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Sally Bell Rutherford, Alice Bell Smith, Spurgeon Bell, Jr. and their children and grandchildren. Virginia also leaves behind many friends that she loved and who were devoted to her. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. Graveside services will be held Friday, October 1, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at Austin Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the home of Tom and Jeannie Strange. Memorial contributions may be made to Tarrytown United Methodist Church, 2601 Exposition Blvd., Austin, TX 78703, Southwestern University, PO Box 770, Georgetown, TX 78627, or South Texas College of Law, 1303 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811. You may view memorials online at wcfish.com