Ruth Bell

Family will receive friends on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, Interment: Greenlawn Cemetery
Ruth Bell was born on September 3, 1930 to the late Exie and Carl Thompson in Summerfield, Louisiana.Of this union, Ruth was the 3rd child of the 10 Thompson children which included 4 brothers; L. G., Rufus, Carl Jr., and Elvin and 5 sisters; Ruby, Mary Alice, Shirley, Exie Mae, and Willie Jean. Carl and Exie moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962. Meanwhile as a young adult, Ruth moved to Houston, Texas. In her youthful years, Ruth's role as one of the eldest Thompson children was to cook for the family. While in Houston, she did day work for Houston families as a cook. Ruth Thompson and a young man by the name of Johnnie Bell had a common friend in Houston who thought these two young people should meet. Early in the 1950's, Mr. Proctor introduced Ruth Thompson and Johnnie Bell to one another. A love connection was made, but a short time later Johnnie moved to Columbus, Ohio to join his brother Lavaughn (L. C.) Hawkins, who had moved to Columbus with his wife Audrey in 1949. Although Johnnie was living in Columbus, he and Ruth kept in touch with each other by letter for 4 years. On Saturday, December 22, 1956, Ruth Thompson and Johnnie Bell were married by Rev. Thomas N. Page in the presence of John and Marian Mitchell in Columbus, Ohio. Ruth and Johnnie Bell had 5 children; Belinda, Clark, Pamela, Rita, and Bonita. Their 6th child, John Jr., was stillborn in 1965. Both Ruth and Johnnie had strong, God fearing mothers, were baptized at an early age, and instilled those spiritual beliefs into their children. In their early years together, Ruth and Johnnie attended Oakley Baptist Church. Ruth joined Friendship Baptist Church in the mid-1960's under the Pastorate of Rev. R. T. Gleaves. As a Friendship Missionary Baptist Church member, Ruth has served as a member of Women's Fellowship (Esther Circle), the Women's Day Choir, the Vacation Bible School Kitchen Staff, and was the 2020 Pack the Pews Family Week First Place winner. On January 28, 2018, Ruth humbly accepted the momentous charge of being a Prayer Warrior. Johnnie insisted that his wife, who he affectionately nicknamed 'Shortie' stay home and raise the children. Ruth not only raised her children, but raised many other children as a fulltime babysitter. Ruth was a true blessing to single mothers with no family members to turn to when situations arose and childcare was needed overnight, over weekends, and on holidays. She never charged these mothers the 'going rate' rather she worked with them based on need. When the Lord called Johnnie home on October 10, 2016, Ruth and Johnnie Bell was 2 months shy of celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Bedtime stories for the Bell children didn't consist of fairy tales and big bad wolves that ate little children. Rather Ruth read Bible passages after praying with her children on bended knees. She made sure her kids went to sleep knowing and believing in their hearts that Jesus loves the little children. She taught her children to say thank you, to always tell the truth, to speak when spoken to, to treat others as they want to be treated, and most importantly to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. She made her house a home. Ruth was the consummate mother. She was a nurturer, mediator, a way maker, great listener, and decisive. She was spiritually logical, put her family before herself, and loved without condition. And what's in a smile? Ruth could make you feel special with a simple smile. I love you was in that smile. It's going to be ok, was in her smile. I'm so proud of you was reflected in her smile. Welcome or it's nice to meet you was in that smile. Her smile could make the impossible suddenly seem possible. Her smile was genuine and was a true reflection of her heart.
Ruth is predeceased by her parents Exie and Carl Thompson; husband, Johnnie Bell; daughter Bonita "Bunni" Calloway, brothers L. G. Thompson, Rufus Thompson, and Carl Thompson, Jr.; sisters, Ruby Douglas and Exie Seastrunk; and grandsons Torrie D. Walker and Michael Wilson.
Left to cherish the memory of Ruth Bell is her son, Clark Thompson of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughters, Belinda (Woodroe) Wilson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Pamela LaPaugh of Tampa, Florida, and Rita Bell of Columbus; sisters, Mary (Bill) Jackson, Shirley Moffett and Willie Jean Howard all of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother, Elvin Thompson of Houston, Texas; Special cousin, Esther (Madison) McCrae of Magnolia, Arkansas; 12 grandchildren, Lonnie (Pamula) Walker II, Demetrius, (Angela) Wilson, Lucresha (William) Rose, Ivy Wilson, Eric (Brittiany) Speights, Derek Simmons, Cavan Thompson, Cayla Thompson, Richard (Dawn) Lewis, III., Jonathan Lewis, Terrance Calloway, Jr. and Brandon Calloway, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
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