Mrs. Olivia Jeanette Dunlap Bell, the daughter of the late Mr. Frank and Mary Young Dunlap, was born May 21, 1930, in Clinton, South Carolina. She was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 22, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving son and daughter.
At an early age, Mrs. Bell joined Antioch A.M. E. Church, in Clinton, SC where she was a faithful member. As a member of Antioch A.M.E. Church, she served as a member of the “Nancy Gary and Jeanette Bell Missionary Society,” the gospel choir, the usher board, and “Mother” of the church. Mrs. Bell attended church faithfully until her health failed, but she would listen to church services by phone during the pandemic. She also served as a member of the Laurens Women Aid Society, Sub # 1, Mrs. Flora McDaniel’s President. She worked at Clinton Hosiery Mill and Presbyterian Home for several years. Mrs. Bell was one of the founders to bring the “Old Ninety-Six Girl Scout Troop” to Clinton, SC where she served as the troop leader.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Larcell L. Bell, Sr., four sisters, Mrs. Josephine (Herbert) Cheeks, Mrs. Ida Beatrice (Sammie) Franklin, Mrs. Lucy Mae (Guy B.) Swittenberg, and Mrs. Essie (George) L. Taylor.
Mrs. Olivia Jeanette Dunlap Bell is survived by her devoted son, Retired SFC Larcell L. Bell, Jr. of the home; a daughter, Ms. Elizabeth B. Bell of Laurel, Maryland; and a nephew raised in the home, Retired CSM Leroy R. (Sophia) Dunlap of Blythewood, South Carolina; five Grandchildren, Ms. Catherine Y. Bell, Westampton, New Jersey; Crystal (Hillard) Black, Severn, Maryland; Mrs. Valarie Curtis, Columbia, South Carolina; Mrs. Sharee Yates, Washington, DC; and Mr. Cyrus Crusoe, Suitland, Maryland; two brothers, Mr. Edward Watson and John Henry Watson, both of Clinton, South Carolina; nine great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Olivia Jeanette Dunlap Bell was the last living Matriarch of five-generations.
Mrs. Olivia Jeanette Dunlap Bell Dunlap was memorialized at Antioch A.M.E. Church Cemetery on July 29,2021 .
