Shirley Ann Bell

Shirley Ann Bell passed away peacefully, with loving care on April 15, 2023 at the Virginian in Fairfax, VA. She was 94 years old

Shirley was born at home on her mother’s family farm in Downs, Kansas on December 23, 1928 to Percy H. Underwood and Elva V Underwood (Fink)

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Charles R “Bus” Bell. He passed in 2016. They met and married at a young age in June of 1948 at Clarendon Methodist Church. She was just 19 and he was 21, just home from WW II. They were happily married for 68 years and lived the entire time in the same house in McLean, VA. There in Chesterbrook Woods, they grew up together and into adults and were able to raise 3 boys in the turbulent 60’s and 70’s.

Shirley is survived by her one older brother, Lawrence H. Underwood (97 yrs. old and thriving in Marshall VA.) and her 3 sons; Steven C. Bell (Carolyn), Gary A. Bell (Danelle), Joel W. Bell (Sharon). Five grandchildren: Daniel J. Bell (Therese), William R. Bell, Jamie M. Bell, Joel W. Bell, Jr. (Stephanie) and Jonathan R. Bell (Kayla). There are 8 great grandchildren at this time, with a 9th due in August.

Shirley, along with her brother Lawrence, grew up and were raised in Clarendon, VA. It was a magical time and place to grow up and still remains so today. They both attended and graduated from W&L High School, with Shirley in the class of 1946. Her yearbook caption said she was the girl who knew how to dress and did it well.

Her parents built and managed the Underwood Building (1934), which still exists today as historic architecture across from the Clarendon Metro station at Wilson Blvd and Highland St. It was from there that her parents and brother Lawrence operated and ran Underwood’s Superior Dry Cleaners for 50 plus years.

Shirley was the ultimate roll model as a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grand and great grandmother and friend. She grew up and was part of the greatest generation. That experience gave her an attitude and skill set that somehow is not duplicated today. We all benefitted from it and she gave the next 3 generations a shining example of how to live life and treat people.

Throughout the years, Shirley was an active member of the Chesterbrook United Methodist Church and more recently the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church.

The family wants to sincerely thank the staff of the Virginian for the over the top, very personal, excellent care given to Shirley, and for helping her and us get through this difficult part of life.