Rose Bell

Bell, Rose S. Librarian, Author and Humanitarian; March 21, 1921 November 3, 2013 Rose Scoggins Bell, beloved mother of Aaro Jean Bell-Reid (Mr. Keith A. Reid), Evelyn (Johnnie) Bell Brewster, and the late Herbye Lorenzo Bell and grandmother of Derrick Brewster and Kellyrose Brewster, entered into her immortal life on All Souls Sunday. Born in Arkansas, she was a 1944 graduate of Philander Smith College, where she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She married Aaron Bell and in 1948 they moved to Gary, IN, where they raised their family. She worked for the Gary Public Library and later, the Kansas City Public Library. In 1958, Mrs. Bell became the first Black woman to have her own radio show Story Hour, modeled after her acclaimed children's reading program at Gary's Roosevelt Library. Relocating to Kansas City in 1973, Mrs. Bell created the African American History section of the library. After retiring, Mrs. Bell authored five books: "Beyond the Strawberry Patch," "Modern Marriage How They Keep It Together," "You Can Be Happy," "Plum Creek Valley," and "The Adventures of Rosebud." Memorial services will be held in Washington, DC on November 16 and Kansas City, MO on November 23.