Obituary: Bell, Shirley May

BELL, Shirley May (Dobb) Shirley May Bell, daughter of Edgar and Elsie Dobb (Dawe) loving mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother passed from this world into the presence of our Loving God and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 25, 2012.

Shirley was born in Butte, MT on December 13, 1929 where she spent her childhood.

She was the youngest of eight children.

Shirley learned piano, was an excellent vocalist as a girl and graduated from Butte Central High School in 1947.

From there she went to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she studied Music and Children’s Ministry.

At Moody she met the love of her life Evan William Bell from Tacoma, WA.

They married in August of 1951 and were married for 60 years.

After graduating from Moody they moved to Seattle where Evan enrolled in Seattle Pacific College.

They moved to Spokane in 1955 where Evan began his teaching career with Spokane Public Schools.

Shirley spent all of the 50’s and 60’s as a homemaker raising their two sons Mark William and John Allen near Manito Park until later moving to the Shadle area.

Later she worked as an Executive Secretary at Fidelity Savings and then as a Teacher’s Aid for Spokane Public Schools.

As soon as they moved to Spokane Shirley was involved in Children’s Ministry, first at First Baptist Church and then for over 40 years at Fourth Memorial Church.

She had a faithful servant’s heart and always had a passion for children.

She was preceded to Heaven by her husband, Evan William earlier this year.

She is survived by sons Mark (Judy) Spokane, John (Terrea) Prosser, WA; grandchildren Eric Bell (Allyson); Brandon Bell; Lori Little (Dennis); Tammy Bousson (David); Matt Bateman (Patricia); great- grandchildren Jacob, Madison, Kelsey, Hilary, Amanda, Riley and Leah; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Riverview Retirement for the wonderful care Shirley received over the last years of her life.

We will always be grateful.

Donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, P.O.

Box 141646, Spokane, WA 99214, or Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard, Spokane, WA 99207.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, January 3, 2013, from 12-6 p.m. at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division.

A Memorial will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Fourth Memorial Church.

Please visit Shirley’s online tribute and leave a message of condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements entrusted to: