Dorothy Hazel Bell

Dorothy was born to Eulalia and Burnett Jackson in Riverside, Texas on the 30th of April 1928. She was reared in Houston’s Fifth Ward with her sister Clara and brother Leslie (deceased) where a foundation in faith was central in their home and through worship at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. “Dot,” as she was affectionately known to family and friends, graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School where she was a proud member of the drum and bugle corps, the Brigadiers.

Dot married twice (James Galloway and Herbert Bell, both deceased) and from those unions produced five children: Joseph Galloway (Sue), Ronald Galloway (Theresa), Danny Galloway (Shary), Yvette Bell (Reginald Heard) and Reginald Bell. She adored children and was so excited each time her family circle grew with the addition of 13 grandchildren (one deceased angel), 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Dot was blessed to have a large extended family and social network. She was favored as “a sweet lady” with a soft heart full of concern for all who knew her.

Dot’s chosen profession was nursing and she enjoyed a rewarding career of 30+ years at Bellaire General Hospital where she had a reputation as a consummate professional, caring and compassionate to her patients and generous to her co-workers. After retirement, Dot loved spending quality time with her family and friends, staying abreast of current events and political news and adding to her collection of elephant figurines. A special companion to her during this time was a persnickety Persian feline named Basher who behaved as if she was human and was treated like royalty under Dot’s care.

Dot’s final years were spent in relatively good health despite an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She maintained a good quality of life and was active and joyful for an amazingly long time. Even in her illness, Dot was a shining example of the strength of the human spirit and she triumphed with grace and unconditional love.

The family extends special appreciation to Judy Hardy, Dot’s caregiver for a number of years, and to James McLaughlin and Denetria Jones with Vantage Hospice for their support and guidance.

A memorial service and celebration of Dorothy’s life is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 22nd of December, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association; Houston and Southeast Chapter, P.O. Box 96011, Washington D.C. 20090-6011.