Phyllis Anne Rose Bell

Phyllis Anne (Rose) Bell of Columbia, Missouri, age 92, died September 3, 2026. Daughter of Thomas Ivan Rose (b. 07 Apr. 1903, d. 13 Dec. 1980) and Anna Hannah (Edwards) Rose (b. 26 Aug. 1908, d. 13 Jun. 1995), both of St. Joseph, Missouri, Phyllis was born August 25, 1934.

She played the piano, French Horn, and other instruments, and graduated from Benton High School in 1952. She accepted a music scholarship from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri and helped fund her education by working afternoons and Saturday mornings in the Office of the Dean of Students. She played in the college band and joined Beta Sigma Omicron Sorority (later absorbed by Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority). Her first year, she met a football and baseball scholarship athlete, Ronald Edward Bell, of Kennett, Missouri.

Phyllis and Ron married July 23, 1954, at First Presbyterian Church in Liberty, Missouri. They enjoyed a 62-year marriage. Ron died March 5, 2017.

Ron served in the Army after the Korean War. During his service, Phyllis lived with Ron’s family in Kennett. Ron’s family embraced her. She returned that love.

Phyllis and Ron moved to Albuquerque as Ron earned his Master of Biology. There, they had their son, Blake Allen Bell, on May 17, 1958.

In 1960, the family moved to Jackson, Mississippi. Ron joined the Millsaps College faculty. Phyllis embraced community initiatives and hosted college-related events. She and Ron had their daughter, Tracy Lynne Bell, on March 10, 1961.

Ron taught at Millsaps while working toward his Ph.D. at the University of Mississippi. The family moved to the University of Colorado’s Arctic Alpine Research Camp near Boulder for Ron’s research. They next moved to Oxford, Mississippi during Ron’s one-year Millsaps leave of absence as he completed his Ph.D. Upon the family’s return to Jackson, Phyllis re-dedicated herself to the community and to success of the Millsaps Biology Department where Ron was Chair.

Phyllis served as Treasurer of the Jackson Area Alumnae Chapter of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She also was a Composer Operator for Haines Brinkley Insurance (working on computers as they emerged in business). She also worked as an administrator at a local real estate management firm to help fund her children’s college educations.

In 1978, Ron became Dean of the College and Professor of Biology at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO. Phyllis’s life evolved. She supported fundraising efforts, hosted social events, traveled with Ron throughout the nation to recruit students and promote Central, and devoted herself to college-associated philanthropies.

In 1993, Phillips University of Enid, Oklahoma approached Ron seeking assistance. He joined as Dean of the Faculty while the institution worked to address profound financial difficulties. The University’s overwhelming issues caused its failure in 1998.

Ron next joined Oklahoma City’s Omniplex Science Museum (renamed Science Museum of Oklahoma) as Program Coordinator. Phyllis volunteered at the museum, fund-raised, and hosted countless events.

After Ron’s death in 2017, Phyllis moved to Columbia, Missouri near her daughter, Tracy, and son-in-law, Donnie Frevert. There, Phyllis enjoyed family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren, friends, and the local community.

Phyllis was a nearly life-long member of the secretive “Philanthropic Educational Organization” known as P.E.O. in which women motivate, educate, and celebrate all women based on “principles of friendship and loyalty.” Phyllis was an exemplary member for decades in several P.E.O. chapters.

A devout and life-long church member, Phyllis lived happily and independently until her death. She is survived by her son, Blake Allen Bell, married to Janice Faye Ingram, of Mooresville, NC; daughter, Tracy Lynne Bell married to Donald Alan Frevert, of Columbia, MO. She also is survived by four grandchildren: Brett Ingram Bell (m. Christina Octavia Martin) of New York City; Jennifer Anne Bell of New York City; Samantha Rose (Frevert) Decker (m. Trent Michael Decker) of Tulsa, OK; and Stephanie Lynne (Frevert) Bernard (m. Ryan Karl Bernard) of Ashland, MO. Phyllis also is survived by three great-grandchildren: Colt Michael Decker, Jax Alan Decker, and Reagan Lynne Bernard.

Cremation will follow. The family is grateful for condolences, but graciously declines flowers and donations.