Gertrude S. Bell

Mrs. Bell was born September 12, 1924 in Castor, LA to J.W. and Mattie (Pullig) Knotts. She went to be with her Lord Thursday, January 5, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her father and mother; four brothers, Armond, Bud, William, and Harold Knotts; three sisters, Ercell Ivy, Lessie Murphy, and Tressie Woodard; and son-in-law, Cecil Lawrence.

Mrs. Bell met James while teaching at Castor High School. They were married in 1947, and blessed with three wonderful children; Anita Ann, Sherry Lynn, and James Delane II (Jim).

In 1957 Texas Eastern transferred James to Baytown, Texas. In 1966 Mrs. Bell began teaching at Barbers Hill I.S.D. where she taught until retiring in 1980. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was devoted to her loving family in whose lives she played an influential part. Her family and students were taught Christian principles of service, honor, and duty the best way by being an example herself. When her husband retired in 1986, they built a home on Lake Sam Rayburn in Zavalla, Texas. He helped build Lakewood Baptist Church where they became active members. They loved fellowshipping and worshiping with their Christian friends, going on the lake with the family, and the family gatherings at their home.

She is survived by daughters, Anita Lawrence of Orange, Texas, Sherry Davenport of Hunt, Texas, and son, Jim and daughter-in-law, Cheryl of College Station, Texas, grandchildren, Vince Lawrence and wife, Laurie of Beaumont, Texas, Monica White and husband, Tommy of Orange, Texas, Mica Ham and husband, Michael of College Station, Texas, Chae Spencer and husband, John of Hunt, Texas, Brandon Davenport and wife Tanya of Hunt, Texas; great-grandchildren, Grant, Ally, and Ava White of Orange, Texas, Lana and Brayden Lawrence of Orange, Texas, Maya Flores, Marissa Flores, and Mary Dabbs of Beaumont, Texas, Tyler Sholar of Palacios, Texas, Cayden Davenport and Saxxon Laake of Hunt, Texas, Austin and Ella Ham of College Station, Texas, Ryan Flores, Olivia and Alec Spencer of Hunt, Texas, great-great-grandchildren, Brooks Flores, Sadie Laake, Nora Davila, and Isaac and Nathan Dabbs.

The family wishes to express our love and appreciation to Jimmy and Regina Borel for the care they gave our mother while she lived alone. Also, to Agnes Norman, Janette Lee, Dennis Ketchum, Della Crain, other friends and many church friends that gave their time and love to her.

The family would like to recognize Southeast Texas Hospice for the exceptional care and love they provided.

Also, a special loving thank you to caregivers, Chinet Turner and Veronica Guillary, whom Gertrude formed a special loving bond with in these last few months.

The family will receive friends from 1 pm. To 2 p.m., Friday at Lakewood Baptist Church.