Doris Jean Bell

On September 24, 2026, Jean Bell passed away peacefully at the age of 84 leaving behind a legacy of love and friendship. Born Doris Jean Bader on May 7, 1942, in Chester, Pennsylvania, daughter to John “Jack” Bader and Doris Josephine Froling Bader. She spent her childhood moving frequently with her family due to her father’s military duties. She lived life to the fullest in each location; whether spending weekends on the water off the coast of Maine or working summers in the city of Chicago saving money for college. Jean carried a sense of adventure throughout her life, moving to various places including New York, Florida and Georgia, always dedicated to work and family.

After graduating from Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, Jean set out to study at her dream school, Purdue University. After two years at Purdue, she followed her future husband to the University of Cincinnati, where she graduated with honors. After graduation, Jean made a home in Albany, New York where she married and had two daughters. She had a highly successful career in the defense and aerospace industry earning multiple awards working at Martin Marietta, Harris Corp, Lockhead Martin and Scientific Atlanta. Jean was proud to have gained top level security clearance where she proceeded to serve on the procurement and subcontracts team for the F-22 Raptor fighter jet and the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.

Jean’s lengthy and exciting career brought her and her two daughters away from the cold winters of New York to the beaches of Florida when her daughters were very young. Her sense of adventure never slowed down, while even as a single mom, she taught her daughters to live life to the fullest. Jean took the girls, along with visiting cousins, swimming in the sea, sailing on the lakes, attending summer camps learning about marine life, spending late nights helping newborn turtles reach the water’s edge, and perhaps most impressive, enjoying many early mornings feeling the ground shake watching multiple space shuttle launches into space.

Eager to continue her career and better her life for her children, Jean went back to school at the Florida Institute of Technology and obtained her master’s in government contracts and acquisitions management. She instilled in her daughters a true sense of grit and determination. While pursuing a life of education and adventure, Jean maintained close relationships with family and dear friends who meant so much to her.

After Jean’s life took her on many different paths, she finally came to retire in Oklahoma City where she could spend her remaining years close to her grandsons, enjoy visits from her granddaughter who lives abroad, devote time serving her church, and spend time with family and lifelong friends who meant so much to her.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents John and Doris Bader.

Jean is survived by her two daughters, Kathleen Bell Phillips and her husband Matthew Phillips of Wales; and Susan Bell Lewis and her husband, Clint Lewis, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was a proud grandmother to Madeline Phillips of Wales; and Henry and Will Lewis of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her two sisters; Elizabethe Demaree and Wendy Casperson Fussell and her nieces and nephews; Rob, Jennifer, Nick and Justin Demaree and Rebecca and Merry Casperson.

Jean loved her family and friends deeply. She was a devoted friend and a loving mother and grandmother with a strong sense of faith and compassion. Her witty sense of humor, her huge heart for animals, her warm smile and her devote friendship will be missed by all who knew her.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Susan Lewis’ house on Tuesday, October 6th at 5:00 p.m.