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Obituary for Iris Elladee Bell
Mother, Grandmother, Nana, and Christian friend to all. Iris Elladee Bell left the loving arms of her Granddaughter Christine about 5:00am on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. She passed through the gates of Heaven and into eternity with our Lord. In her final hours she was surrounded by her children; many of her grandchildren; great-grandchildren; pastors and church friends.
Iris Elladee Donithan was born on Oct. 11, 1927 to Golden (Barnerd) and Cecil Donithan in Phoenix, AZ. She was raised in Hardin County, IL by Birdie and Triston Martin. She married Duard Bell, her husband of 60 years on Sept. 26, 1942. They lived in Illinois and Indiana before moving to Phoenix, AZ in 1950 where they raised their three children, Barbara Janice, Marty, and Barry.
Iris Elladee and Duard served their Churches in Arizona and Trinity Baptist Church in Vacaville, CA. In Arizona, they supported and sponsored many State and local Southern Baptist Ministries. They helped establish The Arizona Southern Baptist Conference Senior Ministries; Casa de Amore Spanish Mission in Mesa, AZ; and owned and managed the Joy-Bell Christian group home. They continued their service at Trinity Baptist Church in Vacaville after their move to California in 1997.
Iris Elladee loved her Lord, her family, and her church family passionately. She was a beautiful example of Christ's love through her devotion, her friendship and her acceptance of everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Janice(Dick) Towner; sons Marty (Janis) Bell and Barry (Sandra) Bell; seven grandchildren Christine (Bill) Lopez, Richard (Marie) Towner, Lyz Towner, Gaye Grace, Preston (Allison) Bell, Ryan Bell, Kristin (Darrin) Dreyer and Cody (Halley) Bell; seven great-grandchildren Robbie Bullock, John (Alex) Bullock, Brandon Bullock, Rachelle (Bob) Valdez, Danielle Bullock, Andrew Towner, Aidan Towner, Kyler Bell, Thaddeus Bell, Preston Jr. Bell, Brooklyn Bell, Sommer Bell, Kaeley Bell, Jace Dreyer, Paris Dreyer and Breck Bell; and six great-great grandchildren; half sister Linda Stanley; half brother Mitch Jenkins of IL; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Duard Bell; her parents; sister; brothers and grandson Tim Bell.
A visitation will be held Thursday, April 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., at McCune Garden Chapel. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 20, at 10 a.m., at Trinity Baptist Church in Vacaville. Fellowship immediately following the funeral at Trinity Family Ministry Center.
