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Mrs. Mattie Bell



Julv 13, 1916

  Mrs. Mattie Bell died in Wichita Falls, Texas last Thursday morning following a stroke. The remains was(sic) accompanied by her devoted son Ben M. Bell and wife, Mrs. J. M. Bell and Rev. R.A. Cooper, reaching Pontotoc Saturday. She was buried near her husband Prof. B.M. Bell who died twenty-five years ago.

  Mattie Almetta, a daughter of Rev. William L. and Mrs. Sarah Allen Gideon was born Oct. 7, 1859 in Kennedy, Ala- bama, but came to Mississippi when a little girl with her par-- ents, who settled in Buena Vista, Chickasaw county where she was reared, the family moved to Troy, after she reached woman- hood. It was there she met Prof. Bell and was married June i2, 1889. His death occurred Aug. 5. 1891, a month before he was to resume charge as President of Chickasaw College.

   Two child- ren were born, a daughter, Ona Christine, now Mrs. A.H. Britain, wife of Mayor Britain of Wichita Falls, Texas and a son, Ben Moseley Bell of the same city. With these two little ones Mrs. Bell came to Pontotoc. Beside her children she leaves four brothers, Henry, Lee, Billy and Albert Gideon and two sisters Mrs. Janie Ellred of Wetumka, Oklahoma and Mrs. J.M. Rutlledge of this place.
(Copied from "Pontotoc County Pioneers")
Note: Mattie Gideon Bell was Matron of Hospital at OLE MISS in 1912 annual. Her son Ben Mosley(sic) Bell appears in the same annual as a student.


THE ADVANCE
February 15, 1912
Pontotoc, Mississippi

  At the residence of her son, Dr. Bell, in Wichita Falls, Texas, last Friday, Mrs. M.C. Bell, died after an illness of several months,,and her remains brought back here and interred in the Pontotoc cemetery, by the side of her husband who died in 1890. Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at the Roberson hotel by Rev. W.V. Frierson of Columbus and Eld. R.A. Cooper of this place.

  Mrs. Bell (nee Mosely) was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1839 and was 73 years old at the time of her death. She with her husband came to Mississippi several years ago locating near Troy, where they resided one year, afterwards moving just East of Red Land residing here until after Dr. Bell's death in 1890, when she broke up housekeeping and resided with her children.

  To this union were born eight children viz: Mrs. W.M. Roberson, of this place, Dr. J.M. Bell of Wichita Falls, Tex., W.J. and J.A. Bell of Birmingham, Ala., J.W. Bell of the University of Miss., Mrs. C.P. Smith of Aberdeen, Miss., Ben and Mrs. W.M. Berry, the two last named being dead. The surviving;children were all present also Mrs. Mattie Bell and two children, Miss Ona and Ben, of the University, Mr. C.P. Smith of Aberdeen and Mr. W.M. Berry of Houston, Miss., together with a large number of relatives and friends.

  In her death one of the most honored and lovable Christian characters has been taken. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and her life of Christian purity and gentleness was one worthy of emulation and which shines forth in the lives of her excellent daughters and noble sons. Living to see her surviving children all honored and prosperous she was prepared to accept the summons with a full realization of a life well spent.

  The home of Dr. and Mrs. Bell near Troy was one where genuine hospitality was dispensed and was the mecca for many in former years. No home was blessed with more lovely daughters and noble sons than hers, and is an inspiration to hear those who were closely associated with and knew her better, speak of the home as being the leading one in the county.

  The sons, Dr. Bell, is one of the leading physicians in Wichita Falls, W.J. and J.A. Bell are both properous business men of Birmingham, Ala., Prof. Bell holds a high position in the university and is recognized as among the foremost educators in Mississippi, while the two daughters Mrs. Roberson and Mrs. Smith are leading ladies of their communities.

  Truly has a mother in Israel, been called to her reward and the friends everywhere deeply sympathize with the family in their great loss.

Submitted by: Charles Bell

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