Mozella Bell-Dotson

Her Beautiful Journey
March 30, 1943 - April 15, 2026
Mozella Y (Bell) Dotson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Rosie Mae Murphy Bell and Jewel Bell, Sr. She accepted Christ at an early age at Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Somerville, TN, and she attended Allen-White High School in Whiteville, TN. On July 14, 1958, in Somerville, TN, Mozella married the love of her life, Aubrey Dotson, Sr., during her sophomore year of high school at the age of 15. While in TN, they had their first two children: Aubrey Dotson, Jr. and Bernard Dotson. In 1962, Mozella and Aubrey moved to Gary, IN, and shortly after, they had their two additional children: Debra Dotson and Jerome Dotson.
There, they built a beautiful life together. Mozella started off as a housewife, and then worked as a sales representative, and eventually an Area Manager for the World Book Education Corporation. She sold World Book Encyclopedias to many Black families across the region and even won the Parent/Teacher Topper Award for the top producer of Parent/Teacher orders in the company in 1972 and the Super Seller Award in 1976. Afterwards, her talents took her to the Zayre Department Store, where she received a recognition certificate and plaque for her five years of service. She then became a substitute teacher in the Gary Community School Corporation, and eventually, spent 14 years as a Job Developer for Trade Winds Rehabilitation Center. Before she retired, she worked at Carson's Pirie Scott as a Sales Associate. At the age of 50, Mozella did something that took a lot of
determination and discipline. She enrolled into Calumet College of St. Joseph and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Sociology. Due to Mozella's outstanding merit as a student, she was recognized by Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. Mozella had a true passion for gardening, cooking delicious foods from her garden, baking her special Caramel Cake and Egg Pie, and staying involved with the Beautification Ministry at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, which she loved so much. But her greatest pride was her beautiful family. To know Mozella was to love her. She was equal parts sweetness and fire. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for her family. She also held the unofficial title of "Commander-in-Chief" of the Dotson household. She didn't just walk through life—she took charge of it, usually with a smile and a direct order for whoever was closest. She never hesitated to speak her mind—and she was usually right. She was the first to offer a hug, a kind word, and a slice of her special Caramel Cake or Egg Pie, especially when you needed it most. She loved fiercely and made sure everyone she loved was taken care of and doing their best. She believed life was meant to be enjoyed, and she made sure her home was always filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. At age 83, Mozella gained her wings on April 15, 2026, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant and spirited as she was. At her request, she spent her final days at home surrounded by loved ones. With a radiant smile, she bid farewell, reminding each of us of her enduring love. She was preceded in death by her parents Rosie Mae Murphy Bell and Jewel Bell, Sr.; her
brothers Felix Bell, Jewel Bell, Jr., Trent Bell, and Stanley Bell; and her sisters Apriel Bell, Jean Bell Miller, and Pinkie Windless. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Aubrey Dotson, Sr.; brothers Benjamin (Anne) Bell and Ralph Bell; sister Sharon Jones; sisters-in-law Bernice (Jim) Campbell and Carmelita Dotson; her children Aubrey (Carol) Dotson, Jr., Bernard (Rearn) Dotson, Debra Dotson, and Jerome (Lorri) Dotson; grandchildren Brian Dotson, Lucille Dotson, Audria (Mack)
Julion, Dexter (Vanessa) Dotson, Amber Spells, Terris (Lacey) Spells, Brittnie Dotson, Symone Dotson-Lassic, Nathan Dotson, and Jerome Dotson, Jr.; great-grandchildren Gabriell Haskins, Brian Dotson, Jr., Courtland Floyd, Xavier D. Ford Jr., Raymond Ford, Deyondre Dotson, Mozella Dotson, Aaliyah Brown, Zackary Ervin, Kobe Julion, and Marcel Spells; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Viewing will be held Friday, April 24, 2026 at McDuffie Funeral Home 1525 Broadway Gary, Indiana 3:00PM - 7:00PM with family hour 5:00PM-7:00PM. Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Jerusalem Baptist Church 1741 Fillmore Street at 11:00AM with Pastor Isaac Culver Jr. officiating. She will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery. Condolences can be emailed to [email protected]