Jean Todd Bell

Jean Todd Bell, a native of San Antonio, born August 24, 1937, passed away peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at the age of 80. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. David Alfred Todd and Helen Julia Beissner Todd; and brother-in-law Lawrence Frase. Jean is survived by two children: Sharon Bell Seal and her husband Stuart, their children Marianna and Virginia, and Stanton Paul Bell, Jr. and Lucy L. Leatherwood, and son Brett Leatherwood. She is also survived by her sister Ann Todd Frase, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, former husband Stanton P. Bell, Sr., and her beloved friend Tom Leopold. A graduate of Alamo Heights High School where she was a Varsity Cheerleader, and Jean was Pawnee Big Chief at Camp Arrowhead for Girls after many joyful years at camp. She attended Randolph Macon Women's College and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin; she was Rush Captain of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and cherished her college years. She was presented as a debutante of The San Antonio German Club and was a duchess in the 1960 Coronation of the Queen of The Order of the Alamo. Jean became an elementary school teacher and married. She was a devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church where she was christened, confirmed, and married, participating as Junior Daughters of the King including serving as Diocesan Directress, Daughter of the King, Altar Guild, Women of the Church, Nursing Home Lay Ministries serving as Chairman, and the Altar Flower distribution team. Jean served on numerous boards including Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Alumnae as President, The Charity Ball Association of San Antonio as a Vice President, Meadowood Garden Club, Battle of Flowers Association, Cancer Center Council, Friends of Hospice and VNA, Bexar County Mothers' March of Dimes as Chairman, United Way Allocation Committee, San Antonio Literacy Council, Jackson Todd Memorial Cancer Foundation, Texas Society for the Prevention of Blindness as Vice President, Youth Alternatives, Mothers' Club Board of San Antonio Academy of Texas, President's Council of Trinity University, The Junior League of San Antonio as President and Chairman of The Bright Shawl Tearoom which was incorporated under her leadership, and received The Outstanding President of the Year in 1976 by San Antonio's Presidents' Council. Involved with numerous community charities, Jean was active with Las Casas, The Witte Museum Association, McNay Art Museum Association, Military Civilian Club, San Antonio Arts Council, Los Compadres, Los Festivos, Friends of Hospice and VNA, Alamo Heights ISD PTO and Mulepushers, Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, Hemisfair 1968 as a docent in the Women's Pavilion, docent at The Witte Museum, United Way, Holmgreen Shelter, Morningside Manor, Order of the Red Plume, and numerous political campaigns. She was an avid and long time member of San Antonio County Club and Club Giraud, as well as a long-time season ticket holder of San Antonio Symphony and the Broadway Series. Her many passions included her family, especially her grandchildren, education, her many four-legged family members over the years, and flowering gardens. She never met a stranger and she always welcomed others with open arms. She will be remembered for her immediate warmth, constant humility, and her ability to make others smile. MEMORIAL SERVICE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 11:00 AM CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 510 BELKNAP PLACE Interment will be private for family and close friends before the memorial service; Godson The Reverend Reagan Cocke and The Reverend Patrick Gahan officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the The Charity Ball Association, Summer Dreams, San Antonio Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.