Carol Bell

BELL, Carol Ann

Carol Ann Bell was born in 1940 in Hammond, Louisiana, and spent most of her formative years in Oakland, California. She was the daughter of Albert and Janie Burton. Her parents instilled in her grace, poise, and knowledge of proper etiquette by enrolling her in Miss Devereaux's charm classes and encouraging attendance at events and formals hosted by the Eastern Star.

Known for her vivacious spirit and outgoing personality, she was active in high school, serving on the student council and as head cheerleader for both the football and basketball teams.

As a young adult, Carol continued her leadership journey, being elected to the Board of Governors for the Oakland YWCA, where she chaired several committees. Adventurous and adaptable she traveled, lived, and worked in various locales throughout her life including Mississippi, Oklahoma, Maryland, Minnesota, Florida, and Okinawa. Her professional life emphasized her math and people skills. She held positions with the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Defense, and Trans World Airlines. The latter allowed her to travel widely and embrace new experiences globally.

Carol was committed to community service and lifelong learning. As a young mother in Okinawa, she carved out time to volunteer at the gift shop in the Foreign Broadcast Information Service office. In Maryland and Minnesota, she supported the PTA, participating in numerous fundraisers and serving on the Bloomington, Minnesota Advisory Board. When the family relocated to Atlanta, she volunteered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Justice. When the family subsequently relocated to Florida, she demonstrated her leadership skills as president of the Circle of Friends of the Museum of African American Art, organizing numerous cultural events and hosting noted artists Jacob Lawrence and John T. Biggers. In honor of her robust advocacy for the museum, local officials in Tampa presented her with a Key to the City. She also chaired the Community Advisory Board for WEDU Public Television.

Carol and her husband, Eurael Bell Jr. — a vice president at IBM — raised four children: Gregory, Michael, Jennifer, and Ronald.

Together, they shared a passion for genealogy and spent countless hours researching their family history. An enthusiastic foodie, she known as an excellent cook, loved eating out, was a big fan of America's Test Kitchen, and enjoyed discovering new restaurants. Carol also enjoyed traveling with friends from the Senior Center, was a devoted library patron, and an avid book collector.

She is survived by her sister Laura; her four children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as many beloved friends, nieces, and nephews.

Carol will be remembered for her boundless energy, her commitment to service, and the joy she brought.