Celesta Van Bell was born in Humphrey's County, Mississippi on January 8, 1917 to the late Harry Van and the late Lena Harris Van.
She accepted Christ at an early age. In the early fifties, Celesta joined the Green Grove M. B. Church under the leadership of Rev. J. D. Thurman. She served as a member of the choir many years ago. Celesta was a faithful member at Green Grove until her health declined.
In 1935, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Lee Bell, Sr. and to this union nine children were born. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Celesta departed this life at the MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Lee Bell, Sr.; two sons, Andrew Louis Bell and Lee Bell, Jr.; her parents, Harry and Lena Van; all of her brothers, Evins, Buddy, Harry Jr., Milton, Ceasar, and Robert Van; and all of her sisters, Vanilla Ratliff, Estella Golden, and Ruther Mae Miller.
Celesta will be sadly missed by her family and all those who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters, Lillie B. Bell of Chicago, IL; Annie Bell of Greenwood, MS; Dollie Banks, Josephins Bell, and Mildred Bell all of Belzoni, MS; two sons, Jack Bell and Earl Bell (Eloise) of Belzoni, MS; nineteen grandchildren, including five whom she raised---Melissa May (Vincent) of Monticello, MS; Marvin Bell of Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Burton (Bruce) and Jacqueline Bell of Jackson, MS; and Ashley Antoinette Bell of Belzoni, MS; 11 great grand children; three great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Myrtle Van of Jackson, MS; three special nieces, Annie Mae Cummings of Silver City, MS; Mary Ratliff Womack and Delores Ratliff Brent of Jackson, MS; three special people whom she loved as her own children, Barbara Anderson of Belzoni, MS; Carlnez May and DeNeisha Dickson of Monticello, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She accepted Christ at an early age. In the early fifties, Celesta joined the Green Grove M. B. Church under the leadership of Rev. J. D. Thurman. She served as a member of the choir many years ago. Celesta was a faithful member at Green Grove until her health declined.
In 1935, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Lee Bell, Sr. and to this union nine children were born. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Celesta departed this life at the MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Lee Bell, Sr.; two sons, Andrew Louis Bell and Lee Bell, Jr.; her parents, Harry and Lena Van; all of her brothers, Evins, Buddy, Harry Jr., Milton, Ceasar, and Robert Van; and all of her sisters, Vanilla Ratliff, Estella Golden, and Ruther Mae Miller.
Celesta will be sadly missed by her family and all those who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters, Lillie B. Bell of Chicago, IL; Annie Bell of Greenwood, MS; Dollie Banks, Josephins Bell, and Mildred Bell all of Belzoni, MS; two sons, Jack Bell and Earl Bell (Eloise) of Belzoni, MS; nineteen grandchildren, including five whom she raised---Melissa May (Vincent) of Monticello, MS; Marvin Bell of Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Burton (Bruce) and Jacqueline Bell of Jackson, MS; and Ashley Antoinette Bell of Belzoni, MS; 11 great grand children; three great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Myrtle Van of Jackson, MS; three special nieces, Annie Mae Cummings of Silver City, MS; Mary Ratliff Womack and Delores Ratliff Brent of Jackson, MS; three special people whom she loved as her own children, Barbara Anderson of Belzoni, MS; Carlnez May and DeNeisha Dickson of Monticello, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Celesta Van Bell was born in Humphrey's County, Mississippi on January 8, 1917 to the late Harry Van and the late Lena Harris Van.
She accepted Christ at an early age. In the early fifties, Celesta joined the Green Grove M. B. Church under the leadership of Rev. J. D. Thurman. She served as a member of the choir many years ago. Celesta was a faithful member at Green Grove until her health declined.
In 1935, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Lee Bell, Sr. and to this union nine children were born. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Celesta departed this life at the MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Lee Bell, Sr.; two sons, Andrew Louis Bell and Lee Bell, Jr.; her parents, Harry and Lena Van; all of her brothers, Evins, Buddy, Harry Jr., Milton, Ceasar, and Robert Van; and all of her sisters, Vanilla Ratliff, Estella Golden, and Ruther Mae Miller.
Celesta will be sadly missed by her family and all those who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters, Lillie B. Bell of Chicago, IL; Annie Bell of Greenwood, MS; Dollie Banks, Josephins Bell, and Mildred Bell all of Belzoni, MS; two sons, Jack Bell and Earl Bell (Eloise) of Belzoni, MS; nineteen grandchildren, including five whom she raised---Melissa May (Vincent) of Monticello, MS; Marvin Bell of Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Burton (Bruce) and Jacqueline Bell of Jackson, MS; and Ashley Antoinette Bell of Belzoni, MS; 11 great grand children; three great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Myrtle Van of Jackson, MS; three special nieces, Annie Mae Cummings of Silver City, MS; Mary Ratliff Womack and Delores Ratliff Brent of Jackson, MS; three special people whom she loved as her own children, Barbara Anderson of Belzoni, MS; Carlnez May and DeNeisha Dickson of Monticello, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She accepted Christ at an early age. In the early fifties, Celesta joined the Green Grove M. B. Church under the leadership of Rev. J. D. Thurman. She served as a member of the choir many years ago. Celesta was a faithful member at Green Grove until her health declined.
In 1935, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Lee Bell, Sr. and to this union nine children were born. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Celesta departed this life at the MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Lee Bell, Sr.; two sons, Andrew Louis Bell and Lee Bell, Jr.; her parents, Harry and Lena Van; all of her brothers, Evins, Buddy, Harry Jr., Milton, Ceasar, and Robert Van; and all of her sisters, Vanilla Ratliff, Estella Golden, and Ruther Mae Miller.
Celesta will be sadly missed by her family and all those who knew her. She leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters, Lillie B. Bell of Chicago, IL; Annie Bell of Greenwood, MS; Dollie Banks, Josephins Bell, and Mildred Bell all of Belzoni, MS; two sons, Jack Bell and Earl Bell (Eloise) of Belzoni, MS; nineteen grandchildren, including five whom she raised---Melissa May (Vincent) of Monticello, MS; Marvin Bell of Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Burton (Bruce) and Jacqueline Bell of Jackson, MS; and Ashley Antoinette Bell of Belzoni, MS; 11 great grand children; three great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Myrtle Van of Jackson, MS; three special nieces, Annie Mae Cummings of Silver City, MS; Mary Ratliff Womack and Delores Ratliff Brent of Jackson, MS; three special people whom she loved as her own children, Barbara Anderson of Belzoni, MS; Carlnez May and DeNeisha Dickson of Monticello, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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