Bessie Idell Bell

Bessie Idell Bell, 86, of Leesburg, GA, died Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Hardy G. Owens will officiate. Interment will follow in Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery.

A native of Pitts, GA, Mrs. Bell had resided in Albany, GA before moving to Lee Co., GA thirty years ago. She was a member of the Albany Primitive Baptist Church and was the former owner of Miss Bessie's Store. Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ward Bell, three brothers, H.G. Owens, L.S. Owens and Jim Owens and two sisters, Thelma Benson and Evelyn Onspaugh.

Survivors include two sons, John Bell of Madison, AL and James Bell and his wife, Chan of Sale City, GA, four grandchildren, Capt. John Bell, CWO Derek Bell, Jeb Bell and Bob Bell. Five great-grandchildren, Conner Bell, Anthony Bell, Charlie Bell, Owen Bell and Aidyn Bell.

A special thank you to Melissa Wilson, caregiver and adopted daughter.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home.