Irene Grace Taylor Bell went home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2009. She was born in Hundred, West Virginia, on December 19, 1919, to Clara Matilda Taylor and Hiram Abel Wright. She attended Hundred High School; class of 1938.
Irene married Herman J. Bell in 1941. He was a career Marine, serving in World War II's Pacific Theater and Korea. Their duty stations took them around the United States for 17 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman James Bell (1918-1974). Her mother, Clara Matilda Taylor (1906-2003). A brother, Russell Edwin Taylor (1923-1976), and grandson, Matthew David Forster (1963-1987).
She lived life to the fullest. She was active in bowling, square dancing, and taking care of her 5 acres in Riverside, California. She was a fabulous cook. A wonderful mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn, Iris, and Lana. Four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
My mother was much more than the sum of words in her obituary. She seldom talked about her childhood. When she did, she spoke of the happy times. Relatives gathering, making root beer and sauerkraut, and swinging out of vines over the riverbank (probably Fish Creek) in Hundred.
However, I know it wasn't always happy or idyllic. She and her brother Russell, were bastard children. It was a brand, a stigma, she carried for much of her life. Her father, the local dentist, Hiram Abel Wright was 40 when she was born. Her mother, Clara Taylor, had just turned 13. Clara left school. After a second child, Russell, was born from a liaison with Leslie Himmelrick (15 years old), Clara left town. Neither man would take part responsibility. When she left town, she also left her children to be raised by her sister, Helena "Laney" Taylor and her grandmother, widow, Mary Jane Horner Bartrug Taylor.
It was with this family of cousins, aunt, and grandmother, my mother learned many of the skills that made her an exceptional woman. She could sew, crochet, embroidery, quilt, and cook. She loved all animals, including her pet hedgehog. She was most famous for her cooking in Marine Corp and family circles, though she took a ribbon in high school, for her sewing.
After high school, she left to support home to support herself. In 1940, she has moved to Morgantown, Ohio, WV, to work as a housemaid for the West family. There she worked as a servant and nanny. She declared in the census record, she worked 65 hours a week. Her real mother, Clara, working as a housekeeper, was also living in the city at the same time. I'm sure they met numerous times. My mother never rejected her mother.
It was probably because of the encouragement of her cousin, Margaret Taylor York or another cousin, already in Washington DC, that she moved to become part of a more exciting area in 1940 or '41. She went to work in the Navy Department, as a cafeteria worker. There, she met a Marine, named Herman James Bell, a fellow West Virginian, who was recruiting for the Corp. They married on December 25, 1941, in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland.
When World War II was announced, they were both in Washington DC. Before Herman shipped out overseas, he brought his wife and baby, Lana, to live with his parents in Logan, West Virginia. His mother, Hazel, promptly found a job for Irene, with her cousin, Wayne Craddock, in a machine shop that had been geared up for the war effort. The war was very real to all. 3 of Herman's younger brothers and a sister joined the military representing the Army and Navy. Everyone came back.
After the war, Herman, still a military man, moved his family to Quantico, Virginia, and in 1947, to Madison, Wisconsin, where they rented a place on Lake Wabesa. Herman took up flying in addition to his interests of hunting and fishing.
In late 1949, Herman and Irene, moved with Lana, to rural Vista, California. Stationed at Pendleton, he didn't know it yet, California would eventually become his home after another move to Quantico, Virginia in 1951. For nearly 2 years, while he was overseas, before he retired in 1958, Irene was sole parent of 3 children. She gardened, raised chickens, and repaired TV's. She was the best parent rolled into one.
When Herman came home from Japan, he wanted land. They purchased 5 acres in the area of Woodcrest, in Riverside, CA. They raised cows to peacocks, and children, as a sideline. Herman went to work for an ordinance firm, Aerojet, retiring around 1971. He died in 1973. Irene, with the tenacity of 3 women, went on. She took care of her farm, bowled, square danced, river rafted….. And loved her grandchildren, Vance and Stephani, who lived in the area. She gave them an experience of a lifetime.
Irene married Herman J. Bell in 1941. He was a career Marine, serving in World War II's Pacific Theater and Korea. Their duty stations took them around the United States for 17 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman James Bell (1918-1974). Her mother, Clara Matilda Taylor (1906-2003). A brother, Russell Edwin Taylor (1923-1976), and grandson, Matthew David Forster (1963-1987).
She lived life to the fullest. She was active in bowling, square dancing, and taking care of her 5 acres in Riverside, California. She was a fabulous cook. A wonderful mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn, Iris, and Lana. Four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
My mother was much more than the sum of words in her obituary. She seldom talked about her childhood. When she did, she spoke of the happy times. Relatives gathering, making root beer and sauerkraut, and swinging out of vines over the riverbank (probably Fish Creek) in Hundred.
However, I know it wasn't always happy or idyllic. She and her brother Russell, were bastard children. It was a brand, a stigma, she carried for much of her life. Her father, the local dentist, Hiram Abel Wright was 40 when she was born. Her mother, Clara Taylor, had just turned 13. Clara left school. After a second child, Russell, was born from a liaison with Leslie Himmelrick (15 years old), Clara left town. Neither man would take part responsibility. When she left town, she also left her children to be raised by her sister, Helena "Laney" Taylor and her grandmother, widow, Mary Jane Horner Bartrug Taylor.
It was with this family of cousins, aunt, and grandmother, my mother learned many of the skills that made her an exceptional woman. She could sew, crochet, embroidery, quilt, and cook. She loved all animals, including her pet hedgehog. She was most famous for her cooking in Marine Corp and family circles, though she took a ribbon in high school, for her sewing.
After high school, she left to support home to support herself. In 1940, she has moved to Morgantown, Ohio, WV, to work as a housemaid for the West family. There she worked as a servant and nanny. She declared in the census record, she worked 65 hours a week. Her real mother, Clara, working as a housekeeper, was also living in the city at the same time. I'm sure they met numerous times. My mother never rejected her mother.
It was probably because of the encouragement of her cousin, Margaret Taylor York or another cousin, already in Washington DC, that she moved to become part of a more exciting area in 1940 or '41. She went to work in the Navy Department, as a cafeteria worker. There, she met a Marine, named Herman James Bell, a fellow West Virginian, who was recruiting for the Corp. They married on December 25, 1941, in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland.
When World War II was announced, they were both in Washington DC. Before Herman shipped out overseas, he brought his wife and baby, Lana, to live with his parents in Logan, West Virginia. His mother, Hazel, promptly found a job for Irene, with her cousin, Wayne Craddock, in a machine shop that had been geared up for the war effort. The war was very real to all. 3 of Herman's younger brothers and a sister joined the military representing the Army and Navy. Everyone came back.
After the war, Herman, still a military man, moved his family to Quantico, Virginia, and in 1947, to Madison, Wisconsin, where they rented a place on Lake Wabesa. Herman took up flying in addition to his interests of hunting and fishing.
In late 1949, Herman and Irene, moved with Lana, to rural Vista, California. Stationed at Pendleton, he didn't know it yet, California would eventually become his home after another move to Quantico, Virginia in 1951. For nearly 2 years, while he was overseas, before he retired in 1958, Irene was sole parent of 3 children. She gardened, raised chickens, and repaired TV's. She was the best parent rolled into one.
When Herman came home from Japan, he wanted land. They purchased 5 acres in the area of Woodcrest, in Riverside, CA. They raised cows to peacocks, and children, as a sideline. Herman went to work for an ordinance firm, Aerojet, retiring around 1971. He died in 1973. Irene, with the tenacity of 3 women, went on. She took care of her farm, bowled, square danced, river rafted….. And loved her grandchildren, Vance and Stephani, who lived in the area. She gave them an experience of a lifetime.
Irene Grace Taylor Bell went home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2009. She was born in Hundred, West Virginia, on December 19, 1919, to Clara Matilda Taylor and Hiram Abel Wright. She attended Hundred High School; class of 1938.
Irene married Herman J. Bell in 1941. He was a career Marine, serving in World War II's Pacific Theater and Korea. Their duty stations took them around the United States for 17 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman James Bell (1918-1974). Her mother, Clara Matilda Taylor (1906-2003). A brother, Russell Edwin Taylor (1923-1976), and grandson, Matthew David Forster (1963-1987).
She lived life to the fullest. She was active in bowling, square dancing, and taking care of her 5 acres in Riverside, California. She was a fabulous cook. A wonderful mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn, Iris, and Lana. Four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
My mother was much more than the sum of words in her obituary. She seldom talked about her childhood. When she did, she spoke of the happy times. Relatives gathering, making root beer and sauerkraut, and swinging out of vines over the riverbank (probably Fish Creek) in Hundred.
However, I know it wasn't always happy or idyllic. She and her brother Russell, were bastard children. It was a brand, a stigma, she carried for much of her life. Her father, the local dentist, Hiram Abel Wright was 40 when she was born. Her mother, Clara Taylor, had just turned 13. Clara left school. After a second child, Russell, was born from a liaison with Leslie Himmelrick (15 years old), Clara left town. Neither man would take part responsibility. When she left town, she also left her children to be raised by her sister, Helena "Laney" Taylor and her grandmother, widow, Mary Jane Horner Bartrug Taylor.
It was with this family of cousins, aunt, and grandmother, my mother learned many of the skills that made her an exceptional woman. She could sew, crochet, embroidery, quilt, and cook. She loved all animals, including her pet hedgehog. She was most famous for her cooking in Marine Corp and family circles, though she took a ribbon in high school, for her sewing.
After high school, she left to support home to support herself. In 1940, she has moved to Morgantown, Ohio, WV, to work as a housemaid for the West family. There she worked as a servant and nanny. She declared in the census record, she worked 65 hours a week. Her real mother, Clara, working as a housekeeper, was also living in the city at the same time. I'm sure they met numerous times. My mother never rejected her mother.
It was probably because of the encouragement of her cousin, Margaret Taylor York or another cousin, already in Washington DC, that she moved to become part of a more exciting area in 1940 or '41. She went to work in the Navy Department, as a cafeteria worker. There, she met a Marine, named Herman James Bell, a fellow West Virginian, who was recruiting for the Corp. They married on December 25, 1941, in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland.
When World War II was announced, they were both in Washington DC. Before Herman shipped out overseas, he brought his wife and baby, Lana, to live with his parents in Logan, West Virginia. His mother, Hazel, promptly found a job for Irene, with her cousin, Wayne Craddock, in a machine shop that had been geared up for the war effort. The war was very real to all. 3 of Herman's younger brothers and a sister joined the military representing the Army and Navy. Everyone came back.
After the war, Herman, still a military man, moved his family to Quantico, Virginia, and in 1947, to Madison, Wisconsin, where they rented a place on Lake Wabesa. Herman took up flying in addition to his interests of hunting and fishing.
In late 1949, Herman and Irene, moved with Lana, to rural Vista, California. Stationed at Pendleton, he didn't know it yet, California would eventually become his home after another move to Quantico, Virginia in 1951. For nearly 2 years, while he was overseas, before he retired in 1958, Irene was sole parent of 3 children. She gardened, raised chickens, and repaired TV's. She was the best parent rolled into one.
When Herman came home from Japan, he wanted land. They purchased 5 acres in the area of Woodcrest, in Riverside, CA. They raised cows to peacocks, and children, as a sideline. Herman went to work for an ordinance firm, Aerojet, retiring around 1971. He died in 1973. Irene, with the tenacity of 3 women, went on. She took care of her farm, bowled, square danced, river rafted….. And loved her grandchildren, Vance and Stephani, who lived in the area. She gave them an experience of a lifetime.
Irene married Herman J. Bell in 1941. He was a career Marine, serving in World War II's Pacific Theater and Korea. Their duty stations took them around the United States for 17 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman James Bell (1918-1974). Her mother, Clara Matilda Taylor (1906-2003). A brother, Russell Edwin Taylor (1923-1976), and grandson, Matthew David Forster (1963-1987).
She lived life to the fullest. She was active in bowling, square dancing, and taking care of her 5 acres in Riverside, California. She was a fabulous cook. A wonderful mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn, Iris, and Lana. Four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
My mother was much more than the sum of words in her obituary. She seldom talked about her childhood. When she did, she spoke of the happy times. Relatives gathering, making root beer and sauerkraut, and swinging out of vines over the riverbank (probably Fish Creek) in Hundred.
However, I know it wasn't always happy or idyllic. She and her brother Russell, were bastard children. It was a brand, a stigma, she carried for much of her life. Her father, the local dentist, Hiram Abel Wright was 40 when she was born. Her mother, Clara Taylor, had just turned 13. Clara left school. After a second child, Russell, was born from a liaison with Leslie Himmelrick (15 years old), Clara left town. Neither man would take part responsibility. When she left town, she also left her children to be raised by her sister, Helena "Laney" Taylor and her grandmother, widow, Mary Jane Horner Bartrug Taylor.
It was with this family of cousins, aunt, and grandmother, my mother learned many of the skills that made her an exceptional woman. She could sew, crochet, embroidery, quilt, and cook. She loved all animals, including her pet hedgehog. She was most famous for her cooking in Marine Corp and family circles, though she took a ribbon in high school, for her sewing.
After high school, she left to support home to support herself. In 1940, she has moved to Morgantown, Ohio, WV, to work as a housemaid for the West family. There she worked as a servant and nanny. She declared in the census record, she worked 65 hours a week. Her real mother, Clara, working as a housekeeper, was also living in the city at the same time. I'm sure they met numerous times. My mother never rejected her mother.
It was probably because of the encouragement of her cousin, Margaret Taylor York or another cousin, already in Washington DC, that she moved to become part of a more exciting area in 1940 or '41. She went to work in the Navy Department, as a cafeteria worker. There, she met a Marine, named Herman James Bell, a fellow West Virginian, who was recruiting for the Corp. They married on December 25, 1941, in Hagerstown, Washington, Maryland.
When World War II was announced, they were both in Washington DC. Before Herman shipped out overseas, he brought his wife and baby, Lana, to live with his parents in Logan, West Virginia. His mother, Hazel, promptly found a job for Irene, with her cousin, Wayne Craddock, in a machine shop that had been geared up for the war effort. The war was very real to all. 3 of Herman's younger brothers and a sister joined the military representing the Army and Navy. Everyone came back.
After the war, Herman, still a military man, moved his family to Quantico, Virginia, and in 1947, to Madison, Wisconsin, where they rented a place on Lake Wabesa. Herman took up flying in addition to his interests of hunting and fishing.
In late 1949, Herman and Irene, moved with Lana, to rural Vista, California. Stationed at Pendleton, he didn't know it yet, California would eventually become his home after another move to Quantico, Virginia in 1951. For nearly 2 years, while he was overseas, before he retired in 1958, Irene was sole parent of 3 children. She gardened, raised chickens, and repaired TV's. She was the best parent rolled into one.
When Herman came home from Japan, he wanted land. They purchased 5 acres in the area of Woodcrest, in Riverside, CA. They raised cows to peacocks, and children, as a sideline. Herman went to work for an ordinance firm, Aerojet, retiring around 1971. He died in 1973. Irene, with the tenacity of 3 women, went on. She took care of her farm, bowled, square danced, river rafted….. And loved her grandchildren, Vance and Stephani, who lived in the area. She gave them an experience of a lifetime.
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