Obituary of Ruth Virginia Bell

On the evening of April 19, 2017, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ruth Virginia Morris Bell was called home to claim her reward of eternal life. Ruth, daughter of the late Edgar Morris and Lena Miles Morris, was born on July 11, 1931, in Powhatan, Virginia. She was the second of seven children. Ruth accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and was baptized into the fellowship of Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member. She was a kind and virtuous woman who devoted herself to fulfilling her obligations to God and others entrusted to her care. Ruth instilled in her family the importance of solidly planting their roots in faith because she knew their faith would sustain them through life's fiercest storms. As a lifetime resident of Powhatan, she received her education in the Powhatan County School System, a system she would later help change from a segregated system to an integrated one so her children and those like them could have a better life and enjoy the opportunities she was denied. Despite being a victim of social injustice, there was never bitterness in her heart. She loved and embraced everyone. She always had a smile and a kind word, as well as found the good in everyone and the positive in every situation. Her faith enabled her to be a visionary who dreamed of a better life for her family and gave her the strength and courage to take steps to make her dream a reality. She was active in the civil rights movement and helped change the social and economic landscape of Powhatan County. She was a bridge builder who didn't directly reap all the rewards of her labor; however, the struggle was never about her. What mattered to her was effectuating positive social change and building bridges to opportunities that one day future generations could walk across with ease. Positive change in the Powhatan community was possible because of the courage, determination, perseverance and selfless acts of Ruth and others like her in the community. Ruth worked at St. Francis de Sales High School for 24 years and the Powhatan County School System for 17 years as a cook. She loved to cook and was known for her delicious cakes and pies. Her homemade rolls were always a treat for everyone's palate. An avid flower gardener, she spent countless hours nurturing her plants and flowers. Her roses and flowering plants beautified her yard and were admired by many. On March 27, 1948, she married Velon Augustus Bell and their 57 year union was blessed with five children. Ruth was a loving and devoted wife, as well as a nurturing and supportive mother and grandmother. Together with her husband, she taught her children the importance of living a meaningful life – a life of purpose and one centered on making a difference in the lives of others. Over the years, she was proud of the many accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, but nothing made her prouder than seeing them embrace being change agents and bridge builders to make the world a better place for all. Her heart was filled with a strong desire to help others and many benefitted from her kindness. Ruth spent her entire life giving to others, even when her health declined. She often visited the sick and shut-ins, knitted hats for the homeless and helped her daughters prepare and deliver meals to elderly or ailing members of the Powhatan community. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Carrie Smith, and two brothers, Arthur and George Morris. Cherishing her memory are her loving and devoted children who were with her until the end, June C. Best, Deborah Bell-Feddiman, Darrick H. Bell, Chandra C. Bell, and Keisha Dawn Bell; four grandchildren, Kimberly Best Johnson, Cornell E. Lawrence, Jr., Kiva Rogers, and Kamika Gorham; five great-grandchildren, Christian Best, Kenya Gorham, Karis Gorham, Marcus Gorham, Jr., and Jeremiah Johnson; two sons-in-law, Thomas Best and Sewell Feddiman, Jr.; one daughter-in-law, Alice Bell; three grandsons-in-law, Edward Johnson, Taurus Rogers, and Marcus Gorham, Sr.; two sisters, Cardell Daniels and Lena Morris; one brother, Clarence Morris, Sr.; three sisters-in-law, Florine Bell, Bessie Bell and Karen Morris; an aunt, Mary Jones; an uncle, Andrew Miles; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.