Mary Catherine Bell, 97, of Eden, NC passed February 15,2022. A public viewing will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Perry Spencer Funeral Home, Eden, NC from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at St. John United Methodist Church, Eden, NC with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m. and burial at Eden Garden Cemetery, Eden, NC.

Miss Mary Catherine Bell, the matriarch of the Bell family, was born September 15, 1924, to John S. Bell, Sr. and Anna Bethel Mullins. She departed this life on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at Penn Nursing Center, Reidsville, NC where she was a resident for approximately 7 years and was known as Ma Bell, by staff and other residents who truly loved her. In her spare time she would teach anyone that wanted to learn more, while she was there.

She was a native of Leaksville, now Eden, in Rockingham County. From birth until her move to the nursing center, she lived at 316 Henry Street all her life. The Bells are one of the oldest families in Rockingham County and have always been located on Henry Street. Miss Bell was a schoolteacher for 35 years until her retirement. Teaching was her passion. She was a Bennett Belle, graduating from Bennett College, Greensboro, NC where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. She taught at various schools: Laurinburg Institute, Laurinburg, NC, Mt. Olive School System, Mt. Olive, NC, Douglass Elementary and Draper Elementary both in Eden, NC.

During her leisure time she enjoyed gardening, shopping, reading and her favorite sports team was Carolina, UNC. She loved cats and dogs. Because of her, many stray animals on Henry Street were able to be fed and have water to drink. She was a faithful member of St. John United Methodist Church, Eden, NC until her health declined, serving in many capacities, UM Women, Finance Committee, the choir, the building committee for the new parsonage and the adult Sunday School.

In addition to her parents preceding her in death was her sister, Sarah C. Bell, brother; John “Spence” Bell, Jr and Elliott Bell “Span” who was raised up with her but was first cousins. She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her loss: John Bell, III, nephew and Laura Bell-Blackstock, niece along with other family members, friends, neighbors, church members and students she taught during the years. She also leaves her loving friend, “Benji”, that she loved dearly.