Mary Isabell (Loving) Bell

Mary Isabell Loving Bell made her transition from this life on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at her home in College Station. Mrs. Bell was born December 18, 1915 in Tyler, Texas to Charles M. and Mary Storey Loving.

Mrs. Bell was married to Paul J. Bell in 1952 and they made their home in College Station. Mr. Bell worked with Air Traffic Control at Easterwood Airport until his death in 1959. In 1954, they welcomed their only child Beverly Anne Bell Golden into their lives. Soon after moving to this area, Mrs. Bell began her career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agency ERS from which she retired on May 29, 1982 after 34 years of service. She remained in touch with a group of fellow retirees throughout the years by regularly meeting for lunch and keeping up with events at the Agency and each other’s lives.

Soon after moving to this area, Mrs. Bell became a member of First Baptist Church of Bryan. She was always a participant in the Sunday School and as class secretary faithfully kept up her card ministry by sending cards of get well, birthday and condolences to the members.

Mrs. Bell kept herself very active throughout her many retirement years with her fruitful gardening and food preservation. But it was her social activities that really kept her busy where she had active roles and held offices in The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, L. S. Ross Chapter, #100. Her avid love of genealogy made her the “go-to” person for those interested in joining the organizations and she did research for anyone wanting to know their family’s history. In 1986, she was the president of the Brazos Genealogical Association. Mrs. Bell remained involved with all her activities until a fall limited her life in January 2011.

Mrs. Bell’s heart always held a very special relationship throughout her life with her daughter Beverly and her granddaughter, Holly Michelle Golden-Rios. She was an example to all of her family and friends by her strength, will, loyalty and selflessness. She will be sorely missed by many facets of our community.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her daughter, Beverly Golden of San Antonio; her granddaughter Holly Rios and husband, Sgt. Jose M. Rios of Jacksonville, North Carolina; and two great-grandchildren Mathew and Marissa Rios of Jacksonville, North Carolina; her brother Elwood Loving of Archer City, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Bell in 1959, her son-in-law Mike Golden in 2010, and her siblings.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Attorney Marvin Martin and his assistant Katy Stever-Harper, Attorney Leslie Whitten, and Caregiver Linda Nicola who helped make her transition from this life possible with dignity and peace.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 5:30pm to 8pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Funeral service will be held Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 2:00pm at the funeral home with Pastor John Free officiating. Burial will be Friday, October 21, 2011 at 2:00pm in Tyler, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Mrs. Bell’s favorite organizations or a charity of your choice.