Obituary for Doris Ethel Bailey Bell Mrs. Doris Ethel Bailey Bell was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 10, 1914 to the late Willie Ann Tinsley Bailey and James A. Bailey, Sr She was their first girl. Two brothers were born ahead of her and naturally this 6 ½ pound daughter was welcomed to the household.
A boy and girl followed…making a total of five children. Doris was baptized at an early age at Corinthian Baptist Church. She played the piano for Sunday school and St. Simon Episcopal Church until she went off to college.
Doris was educated in the Des Moines Public School System, graduating from high school. While at North High a teacher took interest in her since she made very good grades in shorthand and typing. The teacher encouraged and helped her.
Doris received a scholarship from President John B. Watson at AM&N College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas (now the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff). Doris was off to college…the first in her family to do so. While in college she was assigned to work in the Agriculture Office.
She was there and worked with Dr. Simon Haley, the father of Alex Haley, the author of “Roots”. She was also assigned to the National Youth Administration (NYA) Office and worked as secretary to Mr. Holloway Smith who was the Director for Arkansas. Mrs. Mary McCloud Bethune was the National Director in Washington D.C. Near the end of the program it was time for Doris to graduate.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1940. After graduation the president of University was so impressed with her work ethic he hired her as a full time employee in the business office. She worked there from 1940 to 1944, until Dillard University offered and hired her as cashier.
While at AM&N College, their football team played LeMoyne College in Memphis, TN. It was at this game that Doris, a freshman, saw, met, fell in love and later married the love of her life…Alfred F. Bell. He was a Memphis Public School Junior High school teacher.
Alfred was drafted into the army during WWII in 1941and upon his discharge in 1944 he moved to New Orleans to join his beloved Doris. They were wed in December 1944 and remained faithful to each other until his death on November 8, 1963. Two children were born to this union, Gerald A. and Angelyn G. Bell.
While on maternity leave with her first child, someone notified her that the secretary to the President died. President Albert W. Dent called her and asked her if she could work in her place until they could find a replacement. Later she was told a replacement was not needed she as was the new secretary to the President.
She had the honor and privilege of working for three other presidents: Dr. Broadus N. Butler, Dr. Myron F. Wicke and Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook. She held that position until her retirement in 1979, working over 34 years at Dillard University. Doris was an active member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church.
There she has served as Membership Secretary, Secretary of the Administrative Board, Director of the Jr. High Choir, President of the United Methodist Women (UMW) of Mount Zion, President of the Conference Sons and Daughters Auxiliary for 22 years, bible school worker and committee member of many activities. Mrs. Bell was the first Afro-American elected president of the Methodist Home Auxiliary and District Secretary, United Methodist Women, New Orleans District. She was the first women president of the Flint-Goodridge Hospital/Dillard University Federal Credit Union.
She was one of the first Afro-Americans named to the Consumer Council for Maison Blance Department Stores. She was appointed in 1974 to the Commission on the Status of Women by former Gov. Edwin Edwards.
Doris holds Life Membership in the Nation Association of University Women New Orleans Chapter and the National Association of Educational Secretaries. She is a charter member of UMW- Mount Zion, Women’s Society of Christian Service- Mount Zion and the Mary Church Terrell Club of Des Moines, IA. Over the last 8 years she was an active and influential member and supporter of the ECHO Legacy Senior Center.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred F. Bell; her parents, Willie Ann and James A Bailey Sr.; her brothers, James A. Jr., Lucian H. and Chauncey W. Bailey; her sister, Ruth B. Cole. Doris’ loved ones left to cherish her memories are her son, Gerald A. Bell; daughter, Angelyn Bell Morgan (Rodney); 5 granddaughters, Germaine Bell Turner (Darin Sr.) Shreveport, LA, Sandelle Joseph Kenner LA, Lichelle Bell, Mesquite, TX, Shadaria Bell, Dover, DE and Shadasia Bell Echevarria (Giovanni) Dover, DE. ; 14 great-grandchildren, Oscar Joseph (Whitney) Laplace, LA, Brittny Bell Destrehan, LA, Tailore, Darin, Jr. and Dyra Turner Shreveport, LA, Rodney Lee, Jr. New Orleans, LA, Arnisa, Rashard Lee and Salomon Mason Mesquite, TX, Càjae and Dakota Browning, Ayden Abdussalaam Dover, DE, Kennedi and Giovanni Echevarria, Jr. Dover, DE; 4 nieces, Norma Jean Carter Des Moines, IA, Countess Dickerson (Lawrence) Memphis, TX, Loreli Waqia Atlanta, GA, Lydia Bell Jamaica, NY; 3 nephew, Wendell Bailey Des Moines, IA, Edward Thornton (Peggy) Memphis, TN, William Bell, Jr. Jamaica, NY and a host of great nieces, nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Service at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 2700 Louisiana Ave. , on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 11:00 am. Visitation begins at 9:00 am.
Interment: Providence Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.
rhodesfuneral to sign the online guestbook. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Doris Ethel Bailey Bell please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Providence Park Cemetery 8200 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA, 70003 , Previous Events Visitation DEC 15.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Mount Zion United Methodist Church 2700 Louisiana Ave. New Orleans, LA, US, 70115 Service DEC 15. 11:00 AM Mount Zion United Methodist Church 2700 Louisiana Ave.
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