Mrs. Helen Patricia Bell Smith

Obituary For Mrs. Helen Patricia Bell Smith

Helen Bell Smith, 72, peacefully entered eternal rest on September 13, 2017 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Ms. Bell-Smith was the daughter of Mrs. Mildred Bell and the late Reverend Luster Bell. Ms. Helen Bell-Smith was a member of Faith Tabernacle Church of Spartanburg, SC.; she was a member of the Life Institute, a musician for the Children’s Choir, a member of The Shepard’s Care Ministry, the Deaconess Ministry and a member of the Bible Study Class. She was born in Spartanburg County; Helen was a 1962 graduate of Foster’s Grove High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and completed graduate work from Converse College, University of South Carolina and South Carolina State University/ Ms. Bell-Smith was a retired South Carolina educator; she taught elementary school for 32 years at the following schools; Laurens County, Emma Maddox Elementary; in District 2, Boiling Springs-Holden Chapel Elementary; and Spartanburg District 7- Highland Elementary and Houston Elementary. Ms. Bell-Smith was crowned Miss Benedict College 1965-66. In April 1964, Helen was initiated into the Psi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Benedict College. Ms. Bell-Smith served her beloved sorority for over 50 years; she was an active Golden Soror of the Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter in Spartanburg, SC. Helen served as Chaplain for more than three terms and Chairman of the Music Committee. Helen Bell-Smith was voted Soror of the year in 1998. Ms. Helen Bell-Smith’s fondest pastime was sharing her musical gifts. She began playing the piano at an early age. She was the organist/pianist for the following churches: Zion Hill Baptist, St. Paul Baptist, Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Golden Street Baptist, Monks Grove Baptist and her home church, Faith Tabernacle of Spartanburg. She loved hymns; her favorite was “Great Is thy Faithfulness.” She continued to lift God in praise through singing on the Hymn 2 Hymn Choir. Music ministries throughout Spartanburg County will forever cherish and miss her voice and melodic musical talents. Left to cherish fond and loving memories in their hearts are: her daughters, April Doggett Henderson of Greenville, SC and Krystal (Anthony) Johnson of Ridgeland, SC; her four grandchildren, Destiny Chance of Augusta, GA, LaDasia Chance of Greenville, SC, Zelanie and Anthony Johnson, Jr. of Ridgeland, SC; her brother, Jerome Bell of Spartanburg, SC; her sisters, Dorothy Means of Spartanburg SC, Brenda (Ronald) King of Columbia, SC and Margarette Miller (Marion “Dooley”); her special brother-in-law, Leon Burgess; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her sister Joyce Ann Burgess. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be conducted by Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard Street, Spartanburg, SC. The ceremony is open for family and friends to attend. The family will receive friends from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the chapel following the sorority ceremony on Sunday evening. A Celebration of the blessed Life of Helen Patricia Bell Smith will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. at Majority Baptist Church, 400 Hudson L. Barksdale Blvd., Spartanburg, SC. The Reverend Dr. Brandon T. Whitehurst, Overseer. will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Whitestone, SC. The Bell-Smith family will receive friends at the Bell Family home, 486 Peronneau Street, Hampton Heights, Spartanburg, SC.

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