Mary Jean Bell's Obituary
Mary Jean Godwin Belle passed away peacefully at home in care of her children and her beloved nursing assistant, Elizabeth Jarrett on March 23, 2009. She was born to the late Elbert Eugene Godwin and Margaret Estella Cone Godwin.Mrs. Bell was valedictorian of her graduating class at Camden High School in Camden, AR. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with high honors. She graduated from Memphis State University with her Master’s Degree in Office Management and Business Education with a 3.85 GPA and further completed 45 hours toward her doctorate with a 4.0 GPA. Her rare talent and expertise in accounting has been recognized on the local, state, and national levels. She served on the Tennessee Accounting Curriculum Committee, Tennessee Department of Education Teacher Certification Test Committee and the Governor’s Academy for Teacher’s of Writing. Her outstanding honors include the highest level of awards such as the Career Ladder III, Rotary International Award for Teacher Excellence in 1988, “Thanks to the Teachers” Excellence Award, and the Hamilton High Teacher of the Year award. Mrs. Bell had several memberships such as Phi Delta Kappa, M.B.E.A., T.B.E.A., M.E.A., and N.E.A. Mrs. Bell was an accomplished pianist who devoted her life to God, family, friends and students. She was a longtime member of White Station Church of Christ. She selflessly gave her wisdom and love to all who knew her. She lived through many tumultuous events, both personally and publically, making life’s core issues clearer to the rest of us. She truly embodied the Fruit of the Spirit as she was a genuine southern lady with the happiest of attitudes and encouraging words for all in need.Mrs. Bell was the widow of the Robert Clark Bell. She is preceded in death by a son, Steven Godwin Bell, four brothers and a sister. She is survived by her children, Margaret Anne Bell and Robert Clark Bell, Jr. as well as her beloved sister-in-laws, nephews and nieces.The family will receive friends and loved ones from 5:00-7:00 p.m., March 25, 2009 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. A Celebration of life will be held at White Station Church of Christ at 10:00 a.m. on March 26, 2009. Interment will be at Memphis National Cemetery.The family requests that any memorials are to be made to White Station Church of Christ Good Samaritans’ Committee, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or charity of the donor’s choice.
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