Mr. Phines Bell

Passed away May 16, 2009 in Seattle at age 90. Phines Bell, Sr. was born in Okemah, OK on August 16, 1918 to the union of Lonnie and Rozella McGlory Bell. The family moved to Tulsa and became victims of the 1921 race riot, losing all that they had. However, the family did survive and remain in Tulsa to start over. After his mother and baby brother, Daniel died in 1929 during childbirth he and his brother, Nathaniel went to live with their grandfather back in Okemah on the farm. His younger sister, Irene stayed with their father in Tulsa. Phines was drafted into the Army in 1942 during World War II. He served primarily in Italy where he was wounded in the leg. He received a Purple Heart and was Honorably Discharged November 9, 1945. On November 9, 1942 he married Ethel Mae Rosemon. To this union two children were born Priscilla Ann and Phines Jr. In 1960 he was baptized and was a faithful member at Saint Andrews Missionary Baptist Church in Tulsa under the leadership of Rev. Ferguson, Rev George Webb and Dr. Bertrand Bailey.

Phines by trade was a plumber and worked many years for Fields Plumbing in Tulsa which was the only Black owned plumbing company in North Tulsa during the 40's, 50's and 60's. It was the middle 60's when he decided to go his own way with his plumbing trade. For a very long time Phines was one of 2 to 3 Black men doing plumbing in North Tulsa. Many people in North Tulsa relied on him for their plumbing needs. He finally retired from work in 1995.

Phines and his wife, Ethel took their first plane ride to Seattle, WA for their daughter's wedding in 1990. But Greyhound was his preferred mode of transportation as he traveled back and forth from Atlanta, GA to visit his son and grandsons or to Seattle to visit with his daughter.

In 1999 he moved to Seattle to live with his daughter but continued to travel to Atlanta this time by plane. Upon settling in Seattle, he united with Mount Zion Baptist Church. Later in 2005, he became a charter member of The New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church, Dr. Leslie Braxton, Pastor.

Those who preceded him in death are his father and mother, Lonnie and Rozella; his beloved wife of 47 years Ethel Mae; grandfather Tom Bell; brother Nathaniel

Bell; sister Irene Hardy; sisters-in-law, Florence Bell and Estella Rosemon; nephews, Carl Tharps and Timothy Hardy a niece, Nathella Bell. He leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Priscilla Lowe (Frank); son, Phines Jr (Rose); grandsons Derrick Bell, and Shariph Bell (Unique); nephews Randy Hardy and Nathaniel Bell, Jr; nieces Christy Searles, Wanda Hardy, Patricia Bell, Michelle Bell and Marie Bell; a host of great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Viewing begins today at 10am, with funeral services to be held Friday, May 22nd at 3pm in the chapel of Evergreen-Washelli funeral home. Services and burial will follow in Tulsa, OK.