Dorothy L. Bell

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”   -John 3:17

Dorothy Louise Bell was born on June 13, 1930 in New York, NY.  She was the youngest daughter born to West Indian immigrants, Joseph and Estelle Williams, ten years after her sister Ethelda.  Dorothy attended a Catholic boarding school in West Virginia and after graduating high school, she married Bernard A. Fisher in New York and two sons were born to this union.

Several years later, Dorothy relocated to Los Angeles, CA with her sons and parents to unite with her sister and husband.  In 1959, Dorothy met and married Wallace J. Bell and to this union, one daughter was born.

Dorothy’s career began in nursing and lasted nearly seventeen years.  She then attended Southwest L.A. College where she graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree.  In 1977, after his retirement, Wallace and Dorothy settled in Arkadelphia, AR.  Recognizing she also had a love for childhood education, Dorothy pursued higher education at Henderson State University.  She later retired from Louisa E. Perritt Primary School after touching the lives of hundreds of students, parents, faculty and staff.

During her time in Arkansas, Dorothy was a faithful member of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.  She served under Rev. Keaton, Rev. Montgomery, Rev. Browning, Rev. Harris, and Rev. Shepherd.  In 2004, Dorothy received recognition as the member spotlight and her Christian duties included member of the Sanctuary Choir, a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union and was former reporter.  Dorothy was also a member of the A-Division Choir of the Southwest District Association and traveled regionally with the organization.

Dorothy Louise Bell passed into the Lord’s embrace on March 24, 2021.  Her beloved husband of 45 years, Wallace J. Bell, went to be with the Lord on March 29, 2004.

Those left to cherish precious memories include her family of sons and daughters, Melvyn C. (Valerie) Bell, Brenda J. Mills, Ronald B. Bell, Bernard A. Fisher all of Los Angeles, CA; and Donna L. Patterson of Topeka, KS.  Dorothy had a tenacious love and affection for her grandchildren who include Stephanie Curry, LaTisha (Allen) McClure, Sabrina Beckham, Jene’ (Perry) Johnson, Martell Fisher, Sylvia Mills, Kristen (Kerry) Harris, Jerad (Pilar) Bell, Angelica Bell, Kenshauna Fisher and Kenneth Fisher II. Two additional grandchildren preceded her in death, LaRonda Bell and Kenneth Fisher, Jr.  Fourteen great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

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