Gladys Bell

Gladys Angeline (Harrison) Bell, Independence, passed away March 29 at age 94. She was born May 5, 1916 in Derby, Indiana to William Franklin Harrison and Julia Elizabeth (Barmore) Harrison. Gladys moved to Independence, Missouri in 1926. She attended Independence Schools until her marriage to Howard Luther Bell in 1931. She was accomplished in all duties of the home, including cooking, baking, sewing, gardening and canning, and was always available for her two sons, Howard, Jr. and John. She worked at Bell Pest Control, the family business, from 1945 until 1980 as corporation secretary and accounts manager. She and husband Howard traveled to several foreign destinations on annual vacations and to attend meetings of the National Pest Control Association. Gladys is known for her sewing skills, clothing items for family members as well as more than 100 quilts, hanging pieces and other handwork prepared over the past 60 years. She also baked cookies (often “a new recipe”) regularly for all members of the family, and prepared the desserts for all family occasions. Gladys was a charter member and treasurer of the Raytown Music Guild; a faithful member and treasurer of the Women’s Civic Club of Independence; and a member of the Lake Lotawana Women’s Association. She enjoyed playing Contract Bridge with the ladies groups for 40 years and the past 10 years with family and friends at Parkway Towers in Kansas City. Gladys was preceded in death by Howard Bell, her husband of 70 years, her parents and her six siblings: Ollie Fowler; Ruth Cothern; Wilma Craig; Mary Louise Watson; William Franklin Harrison, Jr.; Charles Russell Harrison and all but one of their spouses. Surviving are her sons, Howard Bell, Jr. and wife Zelia; John Bell and wife Elaine; granddaughters Romaine Diamond, Angie Bell and Jennifer Ball; grandsons Tony Bell, Marty Bell and wife Sherrie; Nick Bell and wife Cristi. Great-grandchildren are: Nancy Diamond, Kate Ring, Rachel Weast, Stefanie Speers, Anthony Bell, James Ball, and Emily Reynolds. Great-great grandchildren are: Korby Ring, Grace Speers, Shelby Ward, Bernadette Speers, Cooper Speers, Jasper Reynolds, Harper Weast, Charlotte Bell and Madilyn Ball. She is also survived, and will be long remembered, by many nieces and nephews, their families, and long-time friends.
Funeral services will be at 11 am, Monday, April 4, 2011 at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO; interment at Floral Hills, 7000 Blue Ridge, following services. Visitation will begin at 10 am before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 800 E. 101st St. Terr., Suite 150, Kansas City, MO 64131.