Obituary for Josephine Black Bell
Josephine Black Bell departed her earthly body on 20 May 2011 at her home in Altus, Oklahoma. She was in no pain and was enveloped in a cocoon of love, well wishes, and prayer. She embraced life and was uncommonly kind and gentle. She was a treasure as a wife, a mother, a friend, a family member, and as a co-worker. She will be missed. She loved God, loved others unconditionally, and cherished life, embracing it to the fullest.
The earthly journey began on March 3, 1965, at Harlem Hospital in Manhattan, New York. She was the youngest of 13 children. Josephine was born in New York and raised in Blackstone, Virginia, until her teenage years when she returned to New York. Josephine was a hard worker and dedicated to her schoolwork. She also was an outstanding athlete and excelled in basketball, softball, track, and Karate. Josephine had a caring spirit and never met a stranger. She was a kind, considerate, and compassionate person. This is a characteristic that followed her throughout her life. She always found the good in all situations and would always say that the situation could be worse. Josephine moved back to New York the summer before starting high school. After graduating from East District High School in New York City, Josephine joined the military and excelled, rising to the rank of Sgt. before her separation from the Army.
She served as an active duty soldier and then as a military spouse. It was on her arrival in Altus four years ago following the retirement of her husband that she vowed she would only go to work if God gave her a job. Two years ago God put her back to work as a member of the 97th Maintenance Directorate. She knew nothing about aircraft or why she was selected, but it did not take her long to realize she was there for a purpose. This was what God had given her. She was excited and enjoyed going to work every day. She learned things she never even imagined and touched and was touched by people in ways that brought joy.
Even though her mother had died when she was 14 years old, love of family and strong guidance tempered by love, helped Josephine develop into the woman we know today. The sister that she often referred to as her mother, Deloris Jamison, worked diligently to ensure she was well grounded, both in mind and in spirit during her formative years. Josephine learned to love God with a passion that would sustain her throughout her life. Her family picture begins with her marriage to Kevin T. Bell, Sr. in Leavenworth, Kansas, but her greatest treasures were her children. Shynequa (21) was nothing short of a gift from God, her first. Tatyana (17) provided focus and joy. Kevin (15) continued to fill her life with joy on a daily basis. The picture was completed with Kellari Norris-Camp (22), her daughter through her marriage to Kevin Bell, she brought her love and joy. She had joy in abundance; she had a strong Church home in the Greater Love Ministries of Altus, Oklahoma. Towards the end of her life she found fulfillment. God, family, children, church, friends, and community all came together to complete her life. She "ran her race" well. She will be missed.
Josephine is survived by her husband, Kevin T. Bell, Sr., their four children"Tatyana, and Kevin Jr. of Altus Oklahoma, Kellari Norris Camp of Shelby North Carolina, and Shynequa Bell of Lubbock Texas; her siblings Deloris Jamison, Evelyn Brisbon Smith, Barbara Capers, Juanita Black, Victor Black, Kenneth Ray Black, James Gilchrist, Alonzo Gilchrist, and Mary Ann Gilchrist Davis. She is also survived by her uncle George and Aunt Vergie, who raised her while she was in Blackstone, Virginia, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family members, and friends. Her friends and family cover locations from coast to coast, in multiple states and multiple countries. Her parents, Lena Black and Thomas Gilchrist preceded her death. Her siblings who preceded her in death are Beverly Black, Sandra Black, and Ronald Black.
The family will receive friends Thursday, May 26, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Josephine Bell will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, at Lowell-Tims Chapel with Pastor Robert E. Green officiating. Interment will follow at Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
05/26/2011
8:00 AM
Funeral
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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The earthly journey began on March 3, 1965, at Harlem Hospital in Manhattan, New York. She was the youngest of 13 children. Josephine was born in New York and raised in Blackstone, Virginia, until her teenage years when she returned to New York. Josephine was a hard worker and dedicated to her schoolwork. She also was an outstanding athlete and excelled in basketball, softball, track, and Karate. Josephine had a caring spirit and never met a stranger. She was a kind, considerate, and compassionate person. This is a characteristic that followed her throughout her life. She always found the good in all situations and would always say that the situation could be worse. Josephine moved back to New York the summer before starting high school. After graduating from East District High School in New York City, Josephine joined the military and excelled, rising to the rank of Sgt. before her separation from the Army.
She served as an active duty soldier and then as a military spouse. It was on her arrival in Altus four years ago following the retirement of her husband that she vowed she would only go to work if God gave her a job. Two years ago God put her back to work as a member of the 97th Maintenance Directorate. She knew nothing about aircraft or why she was selected, but it did not take her long to realize she was there for a purpose. This was what God had given her. She was excited and enjoyed going to work every day. She learned things she never even imagined and touched and was touched by people in ways that brought joy.
Even though her mother had died when she was 14 years old, love of family and strong guidance tempered by love, helped Josephine develop into the woman we know today. The sister that she often referred to as her mother, Deloris Jamison, worked diligently to ensure she was well grounded, both in mind and in spirit during her formative years. Josephine learned to love God with a passion that would sustain her throughout her life. Her family picture begins with her marriage to Kevin T. Bell, Sr. in Leavenworth, Kansas, but her greatest treasures were her children. Shynequa (21) was nothing short of a gift from God, her first. Tatyana (17) provided focus and joy. Kevin (15) continued to fill her life with joy on a daily basis. The picture was completed with Kellari Norris-Camp (22), her daughter through her marriage to Kevin Bell, she brought her love and joy. She had joy in abundance; she had a strong Church home in the Greater Love Ministries of Altus, Oklahoma. Towards the end of her life she found fulfillment. God, family, children, church, friends, and community all came together to complete her life. She "ran her race" well. She will be missed.
Josephine is survived by her husband, Kevin T. Bell, Sr., their four children"Tatyana, and Kevin Jr. of Altus Oklahoma, Kellari Norris Camp of Shelby North Carolina, and Shynequa Bell of Lubbock Texas; her siblings Deloris Jamison, Evelyn Brisbon Smith, Barbara Capers, Juanita Black, Victor Black, Kenneth Ray Black, James Gilchrist, Alonzo Gilchrist, and Mary Ann Gilchrist Davis. She is also survived by her uncle George and Aunt Vergie, who raised her while she was in Blackstone, Virginia, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family members, and friends. Her friends and family cover locations from coast to coast, in multiple states and multiple countries. Her parents, Lena Black and Thomas Gilchrist preceded her death. Her siblings who preceded her in death are Beverly Black, Sandra Black, and Ronald Black.
The family will receive friends Thursday, May 26, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Josephine Bell will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2011, at Lowell-Tims Chapel with Pastor Robert E. Green officiating. Interment will follow at Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home.
05/26/2011
8:00 AM
Funeral
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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