VERNELLE MARIE McILWAIN BELL obit
BELL VERNELLE MARIE McILWAIN. Vernelle Bell, a loving wife, mother and good friend to many went on before us to be with the Lord on August 26, 2001. She was born on October 17, 1924 in Appleby, Texas to Mr. & Mrs. R.C. McIlwain and grew up in Louisiana. She graduated from Columbia High School in Columbia, Louisiana and then attended Northwestern State College of Louisiana in Natchitoches. She married the love of her life, John W. Bell, Jr. on September 16, 1951 in Columbia. Just a few weeks shy of their 50th wedding anniversary, they had a wonderful life together, sharing their love with each other and traveling the world. Two children were born into this marriage, Patricia Ann and John William Bell, III. From the beginning, overwhelming love was poured out upon them. She was a member of the Dallas Geological & Geophysical Auxiliary and served as an officer. She was an avid artist, excellent cook, bridge player extraordinaire, crossword puzzle worker, and a devoted fan of TV's "Jeopardy". She enjoyed fishing and didn't complain too much when she cleaned and cooked them for the rest of her family to enjoy. She enjoyed attending the Dallas Summer Musicals. Blessed with a great sense of humor, she enjoyed hearing and telling jokes. She also served as President of The Southwestern Geophysical Auxiliary and as General Chairman of the women's events at a Society of Exploration Geophysicists Convention. She was a member of Royal Haven Baptist Church in Dallas. Her son John is currently a music minister at Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas and has served at 6 different churches in the last 23 years. Vernelle attended many services in each of those churches. Her favorite hymn is "In the Garden". She is survived by her husband, John W. Bell, Jr. of Dallas, her two children and their spouses: Patricia Cook and her husband Edison of Aubrey, Texas and John William Bell III and his wife Donna of Dallas, and one granddaughter Jennifer Cook. She is also survived by her sister, Thelma Ruth Green of Monroe, Louisiana and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers Gerald and Bobby McIlwain. Funeral services to honor Vernelle will be held at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2001 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Cemetery Mausoleum 7405 W. Northwest Highway Dallas (214) 363-5401