Sarah Jane Bell

Sarah Jane Redfern Bell (79), passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 15, 2023, and was united with her Heavenly Father. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 9:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home in Albany, GA. Rev. Tim Yorgey, Sr. will officiate.  The graveside service and committal service will be held on Thursday at 2:00 pm at the Andersonville National Cemetery where she will be buried alongside her late husband, Tommy Harold Bell.

Sarah was born on November 22, 1943, to the late Earl John and Edith Elois Godfrey Redfern in Pavo, Georgia. Sarah considered Pavo her home and had strong roots there. 

During her childhood, she enjoyed spending time with her two sisters.  They enjoyed spending time outdoors, biking and creating dance routines together.  As she grew older, she loved playing basketball, playing for four years in high school.  Sarah also enjoyed bowling and even won some trophies during her early adulthood.  

Because education was so important to her, she worked hard to pay her way through college. She received a nursing degree from Albany Junior College and pursued a career in nursing. She loved her career as a nurse, pouring herself into caring for her patients and serving alongside many other amazing nurses and doctors.

In 1972, Sarah met Tommy Harold Bell while he was stationed in Albany, Georgia; they were married soon after.  They had two children, Tanya and Garland.

Sarah was a beautiful human that was full of life. She brought laughter and joy to almost any space she entered, touching so many lives throughout her journey here on earth. She loved deeply. She also loved her family. She devoted her life to ensuring that her two daughters had a better life than she had and supported them in their success. She cared for her husband, Tommy, especially in his last years on earth.

Everyone that knew Sarah well, experienced her love for plants and flowers. She found a lot of joy gardening and tending the grass. Sarah also loved to travel. She traveled all over the United States, including Hawaii, as well as Italy, Greece, Australia, and Japan.  Sarah also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Tyler and Lauren.  They were the light of her life in her later years.  Sarah had two dogs, Bigun and Sissy who will greatly miss her.

Sarah was predeceased by her grandparents, Frank and Lillie Redfern and Tommy and Virginia Godfrey; parents Earl John and Edith Eloise Godfrey Redfern; Brothers Tommy Frank Redfern (Betty) and Norwood Earl Redfern (Inez); Sister Scarlette O’Hara Redfern Plaag; Nephew William Earl Redfern and Niece Tina Marie Redfern.  

She is survived by her daughters Tanya Bell Holcomb (Rob) of Rib Lake, Wisconsin and Garland Ivy Bell of Lone Tree, Colorado; grandchildren Tyler Holcomb and Lauren Holcomb; sister Terry Ann Redfern Mann (Larry); Nephew Terrell Hal Plaag (Amy); Nieces Paula Dale Plaag Clark (Dean), Tammy Lyn Redfern Barrow (Michael) and Angela Jill Mann Leeds (Rob).

The family will receive friends Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home.