Penny P. Bell

Penny was born on September 15, 1939, in Houston, Texas, to Ned Musgrove Pillow and Anna Ruth Buckner Pillow. Her early years were spent in Bandera, Texas, where her family owned a small motel. Penny cherished the simplicity of small-town life—raising chickens, floating on the Medina River, and playing the saxophone in the school band. These formative years instilled in her a lifelong love of nature and community.

A dedicated scholar, Penny graduated with honors from Lamar Senior High School in Houston in 1957. She pursued higher education at Texas Women's University before transferring to Rice University, where she majored in English and graduated in 1961.

Her passion for literature led her to earn a master’s degree in American Literature from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1975. Penny began her professional career as a high school English teacher, sharing her love of language with students in Houston; Lafayette, Louisiana; and Katy, Texas from 1961 to 1979.

In November 1976, Penny married Alan Crumley Bell, with whom she shared a devoted partnership for 47 years until his passing. Together they built a life filled with love, adventure, and shared pursuits. In 1983, Penny achieved another milestone by graduating with honors from South Texas College of Law. She practiced law in Houston until 2000 as a briefing attorney for the First Court of Appeals and later as a trial lawyer with Glickman and Barnett before establishing her own law office near downtown Houston.

Her dedication extended beyond her professional career as she

volunteered with the Alternative Dispute Resolution program.

When Alan retired from Chevron in 1993, the couple founded San Jacinto Energy Production Corporation. They operated the business together in Houston before relocating it to Conroe in 1998. Their entrepreneurial spirit reflected their shared commitment to building something meaningful together.

Penny’s life was enriched by her faith and service to others. She was an active member and elder of First Presbyterian Church of Conroe and a Life Member of Presbyterian Women. She contributed as a volunteer grant writer for the church's Mission Ministry and participated enthusiastically in the church sewing group. Her

dedication to community service extended beyond her church involvement; she served as board member and president of the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, board member for Family Promise, co-chairman of Operation School Bell with the

Assistance League of Montgomery County, volunteer grant writer for Tamina Community Center, driver for Meals on Wheels, and an engaged member of the Texas Lit Chicks Book Club.

Penny found joy in music, reading, sewing, gardening, cooking, and engaging in political and theological discussions. She and Alan traveled extensively across Europe and China while also exploring the United States in their motor home accompanied by their pets. Closer to home, she treasured holiday family gatherings and weekend beach trips to Galveston and Surfside.

Penny is survived by her son James Baird Jr., his wife Melanie; stepdaughter Beverly Bell Allen and her husband George Allen; stepson Bruce Bell; nine grandchildren—Jenna, Megan, Kaylee (Eric), Ethan, Leanna, Nathan, Daniel (Irina), Chris (Taylor), and Will (Kaylee); five great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law Jim

Northern; niece Kay Crawford; nephew Ron Crawford and his wife Robin along with their children Scott, Ryan, and Reese; cousins Chuck Buckner (Patty) and Jan Buckner; and nephew-in-law Michael Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alan C. Bell; her parents Ned Musgrove Pillow and Anna Ruth Buckner Pillow; her daughter Diana Ruth Baird Bennett; her sister Linda Gail Northern; and sisters-in-law Barbara Ellen Bell Baumgartner and Margie Ann Bell Thompson.

Penny’s warmth, kindness, generosity, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched during her remarkable journey.

May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her dearly. A Memorial Service will be held on June 27, 2026, from 01:00 PM to 02:15 PM at First Presbyterian Church 2727 N Loop 336 W. Her ashes will be interred at Forest Park--The Woodlands. You are

invited to leave a written message of condolence at www.legacy.com.

Memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Conroe, 2727 N. Loop

336 W, Conroe, TX 77304 or to the charity of your choice