She was the widow of William Robert Bell , to whom she was married for 42 years. She was a retired college English professor and was of the Unitarian Universalist faith. Mrs. Bell was a 1950 graduate of Ozark High School and then attended Hendrix College, where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree in education in 1954. She obtained her Masters of Education degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1957 and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1986.
Mrs. Bell's civic, community and professional activities were numerous. She was a former member of the Arkansas College Teachers of English Association, Arkansas Philosophical Association, Modern Language Association, South Central Modern Language Association, American Association of University Professors, American Association of University Women, Faculty Dames Club and the American Radio Relay League.
Her current memberships included the Monticello Art League, for which she was a board member and past president, Friends of the Library, board member of the Southeast Regional Library Association, American Rifle Association, Drew County Retired Teachers Association, Master Gardeners of the Delta, Uppity Women Coffee Group, Bluestockings Book Club and Southeast Arkansas Concert Association. Her many hobbies included painting, drawing, ceramics, amateur radio, gardening, reading, playing the organ and piano, crafts, interior design, photography, sewing, email, friends and family.
Survivors include her daughter, Roberta Alysoun Bell Laventhal and husband, Nahum, of New Orleans, LA; two brothers, John McElroy and wife Carolyn, deceased, of Texarkana, TX; David McElroy and wife, Lisa, of Barling, AR; two sisters, Ann Hall and husband, Ralph, of Bryant, AR; and Charlene Creech and husband, Jim, of Jonesboro, AR and one grandson, Dylan Laventhal, of Baton Rouge, LA.
Condolences(21)
Phyllis
Sallisaw, Ok., OK Friday, November 22, 2013 Your mother and your father were fabulous. You were just a sweet little girl, Roberta. I know they loved you dearly. Both your mother and father taught me when I attended UAM. And I am thinking that you were a freshman back then. I loved you father's classes in poetry and your mother's advanced grammar classes. They are most likely the reason why I loved teaching English and Speech for many, many years. You will be forever blessed to have had such great parents. Since I left Monticello, I lost contact with the great people there, and I do regret that. God bless you. My email is phyllis.taylor45@hotmail, and I have 2 facebook pages.Carrie (Kirchman) Taylor
Russellville, AR Sunday, January 15, 2012 I was so sorry to hear of your loss, Roberta (always Roberta to me, too!). Your mom was so much a part of my childhood, when we lived on the UAM campus and later just down the road a few blocks. I remember many happy times with her and your dad! She was always sweet and supportive even in our strange undertakings (Youth Project Club, our circus, our "carnivals") Please know that you are in my prayers. She was loved by many!!John and Robin DeLamatre
New Orleans, LA Sunday, January 15, 2012 Aly, we are so sorry for your loss. We knew your mom to be the kindest of people. We'll forever be grateful for her kindness to us after Katrina. She didn't care that we had our dog, she wouldn't have minded if we had stayed for weeks. We were bodies sleeping everywhere, eating her food, leaving a mess of her house, but she was happy to have us. We got to know your mom that week, a lovely gracious lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. We hope, in some small way, that we can be some support when you return. We've missed you. Robin and JohnVicke (Hickam) McCall
Rison, AR Sunday, January 15, 2012 Aly, (Roberta)--you'll always be Roberta to me...sorry...We always had fun times when visiting with you in your home. I remember a few overnite stays when we were younger. Your Mom was one special lady and I thought the world of her. I wish there was something I could say to ease your heartache other than the cliches that are always spoken, but in times likes these I believe it's our faith and friends that get us through the rough spots. I will be saying a prayer for you and your family that God eases your pain and lets you hang on to the great memories I know you have of being with your Mom. God Bless you Aly! Love ya!!
Owen and Gwen Stanford
Selma, AR Saturday, January 14, 2012 We are thinking of you. "Berta" we have lots of good memories of both your mother and you.Kathi and Jack Brisco
Harrison, AR Saturday, January 14, 2012 Shirley was loved my many. Our deepest and sincere sympathy to all of her family and friends. What a remarkable woman she was!Phillip Herring
Maumelle, AR Saturday, January 14, 2012 Roberta and family,You mom was a big part of my life as a student at UAM. She was my "Freshman Comp" instructor and made my transition from high school to college much easier. I contiuned to take courses from her during my years at UAM. She was a dedicated teacher and a delight to visit with at any time. She always brought an elementg of charm and grace to the classroom.
You are in my thoughts at this time.
Phillip Herring
D. C. Holden
Cecil, AR Friday, January 13, 2012 I was a classmate in Ozark High School. I have had few opportunities to visit with Shirley since our graduation. I really enjoyed the times I did see her. The world's loss. is heaven's gain.D. C. Holden
Larry & LaRue Sitz Walden
Ozark, AR Friday, January 13, 2012 Our thoughts and prayers are with the familyBarrett Duff
Pasadena, CA Friday, January 13, 2012 I first met Shirley after she and my close first cousin, Bill Bell, married in September 1953. Although we lived far apart we managed to see each other as frequently as possible and stayed in touch through phone calls and later email when were not together and this continued with Shirley after Bill’s death in July 1995. Shirley was a truly wonderful person and she will be missed by all who knew her. My sincere condolences go to Roberta Aly and her family as well as to Shirley’s family.Laura Lee Dearman
, AR Friday, January 13, 2012 Aly, I am so sorry about your mom and am praying for you and your family. How nice it was to connect with you on Facebook and I really enjoyed our conversations. God bless....... Laura LeeSue Haggenmacher
Jonesboro, AR Friday, January 13, 2012 Thinking of you, Charlene and Anne. Keep those great memories in your heart. So glad Shirley knew her "English Lit."......A great memory for me with her!PATTY YOUNG
mcgehee, AR Friday, January 13, 2012 So sorry for the loss of Ms. Shirley. I enjoyed waiting on here at Fred's Phamacy. She was always so sweet. May God give you the comfort you need each day.Patty Young
Anita (Forrest) Spence
Monticello, AR Thursday, January 12, 2012 Roberta,I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Your Mother was a dear sweet lady. She taught me alot in college.
Everytime I saw her she always remembered me. My prayers are with you.
Sharon Berry
Metairie, LA Thursday, January 12, 2012 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ms. Bell was a very sweet, kind, and thoughtful woman. She will be greatly missed.Sharon Berry
Hilda Cox
Hensley, AR Thursday, January 12, 2012 Aly,I'm sorry to hear of your loss of your mother. I will always remember Mrs. Bell as a very kind and gentle person. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Hilda
Glynda Nixon
Monticello, AR Thursday, January 12, 2012 Shirley was a delightful person who lived life to the fullest. We will miss her. Our sympathy and prayers are with those who loved her.Susan Tamporello
Metairie, LA Thursday, January 12, 2012 RB,Thinking of you at this time of great sorrow.
PAT SAVAGE
Monticello, AR Thursday, January 12, 2012 So sorry for the loss of Mrs. Bell. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.Danny Bearden
Paris, AR Thursday, January 12, 2012 I always enjoyed e-mailing Fall Foliage pictures to Shirley from this part of Arkansas. Although I don't think they were as colorful as Shirley's house was at Christmas time! Rest in Peace.Kay (Sandra Glennon) Malan
Possum Valley, AR Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Roberta, I am so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. She was a very sweet lady