Edna Bentley Bell

Bell, Edna Bentley - age 97, of Knoxville, died Thursday, March 6, 2014. Dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and teacher. Her life was dedicated to a happy home for family, to sharing her talents in the Knoxville community and her church: Church Street United Methodist Church. She was a member of Church Street United Methodist Women, and along with her husband helped begin the Church Street Soup Kitchen. She taught Home Economics in Middle Tennessee and at Young High School. For more than 20 years, she directed the Adult Home Economics Center for the Knoxville City Schools. It was here that she touched the lives of thousands of men and women in the community. She was also Member of Ossili Circle, a member of the Faculty Women’s Club, a Charter Member and Past President PEO chapter T. Girl Scouting played a big part of her life. Along with being a Girl Scout growing up, she was on the staff of Camp Margaret Townsend and later a scout leader. She is preceded in death by parents Professor Gordon and Mary Catherine Bentley; sister, Juanita Bentley Moser; and husband of 70 years, Dr. Frank Fort Bell. Edna is survived by her daughters, Mary Kathryn Crone, Nancy Bell Banks and husband William David Banks, and Carol Ann Trevathan and son-in-law Larry Trevathan; grandchildren, Kathryn Edna Kelly, William Frank Banks, Debbie Tatum, Elizabeth Ann Johnson, and Melissa Margaret Weeks; great grandchildren, Hannah Tatum, Madison Weeks, and Jack Fort Kelly; niece Lou Fawley; nephew, Robbie Moser. The family is very grateful for the care from the staff at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living and her personal caregivers, Pat Edwards, Carolyn Wright, Nannie Moore, Gwyn Nelson, Iyonie Davis, and Cheryl Charies. A celebration of her life and gratitude to God will be at Church Street United Methodist Church at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, with Rev. Andy Ferguson and Rev. Ashley Helton officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 – 2:30 pm on Tuesday at Church Street United Methodist. The private interment will be earlier on Tuesday at 11:30 am at Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Frank and Edna Bell Scholarship Endowment, University of Tennessee, Office of Annual Giving – 600 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996 or to Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37909. Online Condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Edna Bentley Bell

April 2, 1916 - March 6, 2014