Tonnyell Deshawn Bell

Tonnyell entered this world on September 27, 1987, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, born to LaTonya Bell-Dyer and Paul Sweet. She spent her entire childhood in Oklahoma, growing up surrounded by love, family, and faith. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, beginning her lifelong journey with God.
Tonnyell was a 2006 graduate of McLain High School for Science and Technology. She was multi-talented and wore many hats in her professional life. She worked as an Educational Program Director, Manager, Shift Leader, and Certified Nursing Assistant. She later attended Texas Southern University, where she studied Psychology, and went on to earn her Dental Certification at Tulsa Technology Center.
A true creative at heart, Tonnyell had a vibrant sense of style and an unmatched eye for fashion. She was a proud fashionista often designing and coordinating beautiful, one-of-a-kind outfits for herself and her beloved daughter. Her creativity went beyond fashion it showed in how she carried herself: bold, graceful, and unforgettable.
Tonnyell found joy in music, dancing, and bringing her family together. She had a natural gift for lighting up any room she entered. Her warm, radiant smile left an impression on everyone she met. She was affectionate at heart genuinely making people feel seen, loved, and valued.
Not only was she an incredible daughter, mother, cousin, niece, and friend but to her brothers, she was a second mother, their "momma bear," and they knew it. Her love, guidance, and protective spirit created an unbreakable bond that will live on in their hearts.
One of Tonnyell's greatest joys was being a mother. She took great pride in raising her daughter, Rilyn Starks, affectionately known as "Pretty Girl." They shared a close and inseparable bond, filled with laughter, love, travel, and support for each other's dreams.
Tonnyell was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Roy and Anna Rice, L.C. Pettie, uncles Kenneth Bell and Kevin Rice, and cousin Naomi Lynn Ball.
She leaves to cherish her memory:
Her beloved daughter Rilyn Starks (Rico-Dad), her mother LaTonya Bell-Dyer (Gary), protector Keith Cotton, brothers Keith Bell Sr., Derrious Bell Sr., Tavion Dyer, Gary Smith, and Raymond Dyer, sister Denise Dyer, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.
Though her time here was shorter than we wished, Tonnyell lived with passion, purpose, and presence. Her memory will forever be a light in the lives of those who knew and loved her.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled, Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11:00 a.m., First Baptist Mohawk Church, 3333 E. 30th St. N, Tulsa, OK; with Pastor Emanuel Collier, Sr. delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery, Tulsa, OK.
Visitation will be Friday, April 25, 2025, 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. held at First Baptist Mohawk Church.
The family has been cared for by House of Winn-Muskogee