Kathleen Ella Smith Bell (June 5, 1931 - August 19, 2025)

The matriarch of our family, Kathleen Ella Smith Bell, the second oldest of seven children, was born on June 5, 1931, in Mappsville, Virginia, to the late John Smith and Laura McPherson Smith. Kathleen went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, Onley, VA, surrounded by her family.

At age 12, Kathleen had to stop school to help her father raise six other siblings because her mother had passed away.

On March 15, 1950, she married the love of her life, Richard Bell, Sr., and to this union they had nine children, three now deceased.

Kathleen, alongside her husband Richard Bell, provided for their family with manual labor, then GL Webster/Kane Miller.

Kathleen (Mama) was a seamstress at heart. No, she didn’t go to school, but she learned on her own, later taking classes online and receiving her certificate in sewing.

Mother Bell was the mother of the church—truly a mother indeed—a member of the Senior Choir, and Sunday School Secretary.

Kathleen (Mama) was saved under the leadership of Bishop Estella Dillard Smith in 1957. After her passing, she served under the leadership of Bishop Helen Odessa Gillis, then under Bishop Ornia Dixon until Kathleen’s own passing. Mother Bell continued her membership at the same church for over sixty years.

She was predeceased in death by her husband, Richard Bell, Sr.; her children, Sandra Bell and Stanley Bell; her brother, John Smith; her sisters, Barbara Fisher, Mary Weeks, Amanda Smith, and Eva Lassiter; her grandsons, Leo Bell, Michael Btembke, and Michael Johnson; and her granddaughters, Jessica Bell; and her great-granddaughter, A’amore Jones.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories three daughters: Kathleen Bell-Irving, Virginia Beach, VA; Shirley (William) Northan, Onley, VA; and Wanda Bell-Griffin, Cape Charles, VA. Three sons: Richard (Paula) Bell, Chesapeake, VA; Willie (Marsha) Bell, Dover, DE; and Ghakarhi Btembke, Atlanta, GA. Two adopted daughters: Pamela (James) Baker, Cheapside, VA, and Patricia Anderson, Cheriton, VA. One adopted son: Freddie Baker, Cheriton, VA. She also leaves behind 114 grandchildren, including extended grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special family members—Paulette Williams, Donetta Davis, Diane Davis—and other special friends.