Doris Mae Bell

Doris Mae Bell, 94, went to be with our Lord, December 15, 2025 in Spring, TX. Born November 14, 1931 in Pelly, TX to Homer Littleton Lively and Carrie Mae Stringer, Doris grew up in Baytown in the Gulf Oil camp. She attended Robert E. Lee High School and participated in the Drum and Bugle Corp. After high school, Doris attended Baylor College from 1950 – 1952. After college, she returned to Houston to work for Humble Oil.

In October 1955, she married Paten Leon Bell and they raised their family and resided in Houston. She worked with Paten in his real estate and building business. During their years of raising 3 children, they served at East Houston Baptist Church.

In 1981 they moved to Palestine, TX for their retirement. They enjoyed traveling, going to estate sales, family holidays and bbq’s. Doris loved spending time with her kids and grandchildren, just being outdoors or going for walks in the piney woods. Doris always loved keeping herself in shape. One of her proudest achievements was being the charter member of the Palestine YMCA’s Silver Sneakers Club. She enjoyed keeping her mobility as she walked “around the lake” and exercised daily.

Most recently she loved being with her great-grandchildren, Jason, Travis, David, Sadie and Jakey. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends.

Doris is preceded in death by her husband, Paten, and their son, Larry. She is survived by her son, Tommy Bell and wife, Cynthia; daughter, Susan Boatman and husband Wesley; grandchildren, Randall Bell and wife, Victoria, Jerrye Mae Bell, Timothy Bell, Dawson Boatman and wife, Cassidy, Jordan Boatman, and Katie Boatman – all of Spring, TX; great-grandchildren, Jason, Travis, and David Bell and Sadie and Jacob Boatman; many nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and friends.

Visitation will begin 9:00am, Tuesday December 23rd, 2025 at Brookside Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am with Michael Lively officiating, with interment to follow at Brookside Memorial Park.