Ethel Katherine Rainwater Bell died peacefully at the Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home on September 27 , 2019 at the age of 86. Ethel was born August 7, 1933 to Katherine Ruark Rainwater Lyle and Omer Gordan Rainwater. Ethel grew up in a small town called Union Point, Georgia. Ethel enjoyed reading, the beach, and small gatherings with friends, but she enjoyed spending time her son, Craig, and his family most. Ethel had one granddaughter who she adored, Sara Marie Bell Smith, and she loved Craig’s Maltipoo, Candle. Ethel had many close friends who loved her very much and she was always a good listener with good advice. Ethel would always say, “I don’t know of anybody like me that can stay at home and still find so much trouble,” but she would not have wanted it any other way. She loved helping others, particularly the young folks, through life. Ethel enjoyed entertaining in her younger years and had a very generous heart. Ethel was a homemaker for most of her life being there for her two boys but she did enjoy working part-time at The House of Plants for dear friends. Ethel also volunteered at the Clemmons Food Pantry for several years and made good friends through that service that she cherished. Ethel was predeceased by her husband, Oscar Freelan Bell, and her youngest son, David Lawrence “Larry” Bell. Ethel is survived by her oldest son, Freelan Craig Bell, and his wife, Cindy, of Clemmons, NC; one granddaughter, Sara Marie Bell (Brewster “Bruce” Woodhull) Smith of Kernersville; and a step great granddaughter, Lillian James Smith. She is also survived by her aunt, Jo Ann Ruark Cooper (Robert dec.) of White Plains, GA, whom she loved to visit; an uncle, Roger (Joan) Ruark of Raleigh, NC; and first cousins, Susan Cooper of Greensboro, GA; Sheryl Cooper Scott of Milledgeville, GA; and numerous other first cousins. Ethel loved visiting her family in Georgia during her most active years.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd at 2pm at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons with Bill Taborn officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kate B Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC, or Clemmons Food Pantry, 2585 Old Glory Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012.
