Mildred Bell

Obituary for Mildred Bell

Mrs. Mildred Gamble Bell peacefully entered eternal rest on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Mrs. Bell was the daughter of the late Milton and Lucinda Means Gamble.

Mrs. Bell was educated in Spartanburg County Schools. She was reared in the Monks Grove Community where she joined the Monks Grove Baptist Church at 12 years of age. Mrs. Bell later became a member of Faith Tabernacle Church of Spartanburg where she was honored to be the mother of the church. She was affectionately known to many as "Mrs. Mildred", "Ma Bell", "The Queen" and "Mother Bell."

Mrs. Bell served faithfully as the First Lady at the following churches: Golden Street Baptist Church, Lewis Chapel Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, and St. Paul Baptist Church. Mrs. Bell was a Lifetime member of the National Interdenominational of Ministers' Wives and Widows Auxiliary and the South Carolina Association of Ministers' Wives and Widows. She served three terms as the President of the Spartanburg Chapter where she was a charter member. She was also co-owner of The Margarette Bell Dance Studio which served the Spartanburg Community for 36 years.

Mrs. Bell is the widow of the late Reverend Luster Bell. Left to cherish fond and loving memories in their hearts are her children, Mr. Jerome Bell of the home, Mrs. Dorothy Bell Means of Spartanburg, SC, Mrs. Brenda Bell King (Ronald) of Columbia, SC, Mrs. Margarette Bell Miller (Marion) of the home; granddaughters reared in the home, Mrs. Katherine Crosby (Antonio) of Spartanburg, SC and Miss Lustra Miller of Anderson, SC; and a special son-in-law, Mr. Leon Burgess of Concord, NC. She has 18 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, three first cousins, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her beloved daughters, Helen Bell Smith and Joyce Bell Burgess, a precious grandson, Deon Jermaine Bell and her only sibling, Aubrey Means Gamble.

Mrs. Bell was a lovely lady of dignity and respect. Proverbs 3:6 is her special scripture which states, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Her favorite hymn was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Throughout her nine decades of life, she exemplified grace and poise and shared her wisdom to all who were blessed to be in her presence.

A Celebration of the Blessed Life of Mrs. Mildred Gamble Bell will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at The Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 445 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC. Bishop Brandon T. Whitehurst and Reverend Dr. Patrick Suber will officiate.

Mrs. Bell will lie in state at the church from 12:00 noon until the hour of the service.

Interment will be in The Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, 93 Mt. Calvary Church Road, Spartanburg, SC.

The following will be serving with honor: Honorary Floral Bearers, Ministers' Wives and Widows; Floral Bearers, Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church Deaconesses; Honorary Casket Bearers, Faith Tabernacle Deacons; and Casket Bearers, Grandsons.

J. W. Woodward Funeral Home

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