Shirley Grace Ray Bell's Obituary
Shirley Grace Ray Bell, 83, passed away on November 24, 2015 after a long illness. She was born on August 25, 1932, to Claude and Mary Ray in Decherd, TN. Shirley was married on August 12, 1950, to William Newton Bell of Memphis, TN. Shirley and Bill spent the next 65 years as best friends, and partners in life, and the unchanging constant in their lives was the love that they shared for one another. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Mary, and by her brother, Claude Jr. She is survived by her husband William “Bill” and her children, Claudette Byrd (James), Shirley Davidson (Lance), John Bell (Pat), Jeff Bell (Connie), and Mary Huebner (Clay). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Ian Byrd, Eric Hughes, Sam Davidson, Meredith Bullard, Nathan Bell, Natalie Holloway, and Alex Bell, and her seven great-grandchildren, Colton, Lilly, Davis, Cameron, Cooper, Isabell, and Evelyn. She was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Highland. Shirley had a beautiful soprano voice and participated in the music program at St. Luke’s as well as Prescott Baptist Church. For many years, she worked as a beautician at the Normal Beauty Shop on Highland, and even after she retired, she continued taking care of a few long-time clients who requested her services. Her kitchen was always open, and there were many friends and relatives who gained a little weight at her table. Shirley delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved and cherished her entire family. Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. and funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Friday, November 27 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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