Rita Ely Bell

1930 - 2022

Rita Ely Bell

Rita Oliva Ely Bell of Tulsa died peacefully at home Friday, February 25, 2022. She was 91.

Rita was born in Kingsville, Texas, May 28, 1930, daughter of Andrew Jackson Ely and Joesphine Oliva Stokesberry Ely. She attended Kingsville schools and graduated from H.M. King High School. Rita studied history and vocal music at Texas A&I. Rita and her sister Katsy would sing a capella on radio stations in Corpus Christi and Kingsville. In September 1950 she married William H. "Bill" Bell. They moved to Tulsa where Mr. Bell was studying law at the University of Tulsa and Rita was a Tulsan the rest of her life.

Rita was a homemaker and mother of four, making sure all had a hot breakfast every morning. She supported Bill in his many roles as attorney for the Chapman-McFarlin-Barnard Interests, and they traveled extensively for his work with The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, President of the Tulsa County and Oklahoma Bar Associations, and many other charitable institutions. Rita was a Gilcrease Gillie, member of the Assistance League, a Sunday School teacher, member of the Altar Guild at St. John's Episcopal Church, and the Gemini Gems Birthday Club.

Mr. Bell died in 1988, and in 1992 she married William "Bill" Eide. Mr. Eide died in 1999.

Mrs. Bell was predeceased by two brothers, Andrew Jackson Ely, Jr. and James Weyman "Dick" Ely, a sister, Kathleen "Katsy" Ely Horne, and a son, William Martin Bell. She is survived by a son, Robert David "R.D." Bell and his wife Kathy, and two daughters, Sharon Joyce Bell and her husband Gregory Allen Gray, and Leta Jo Bell, all of Tulsa. She is also survived by her grandchildren, John Gregory Gray and his fiancé Danielle Copeland, Debra Dunklin and her husband Coty, Devin Schnake, Kyra James, Kristin Bell and her fiancé Collin Hayes, Katie Bell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Service will be Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11:00 a.m., St. John Episcopal Church. 4200 South Atlanta Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma with a private interment at a later date in the parish Garden.

Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (www.omrf.org) or the charity of your choice.

www.stanleysfuneralhome.com