Nonnie

This is my Nonnie's obituary. Some of you may not want to read but I need it to be here for history of my family blog! I hope to post more on this in the next few days with lots of pictures of her!

xoxo

Barbara Darnell Bell, age 75, left this life and entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Oct. 2, 2009, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 4 p.m. today at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with Robert Burns officiating and Dr. Gordon Bryars and Dr. Harvey Edwards, III offering the eulogy. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Barbara was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on August 23, 1934. She was a graduate of Tuscaloosa County High School and the Druid City Hospital School of Surgical Technicians Class of 1967. She helped open the Women's Pavilion at Northport Medical Center, retiring after 33 years of service.

She was selected Ms. Senior Tuscaloosa in 1997 and went on to achieve the title of Ms. Senior Alabama in 1999. She was known for her love and caring ways for people and was awarded "The Most Caring Contestant Trophy" in the pageant. She was well received in the Ms. Senior America Pageant in Las Vegas and was awarded the "Best Philosophy of Life" trophy.

She was active in her church, West End United Methodist, where she served in almost every position as well as being a certified lay speaker. She loved music, playing the piano, organ, keyboard, and the omnichord for 45-plus years.

She loved to hunt with her "Honey" and travel out west. Whatever her husband was interested in, she made that her interest as well. She was a city girl who learned to drive tractors and assist in the hayfield. Together they were seen as one, never two.

As her health failed, she was given a Maltese, J.J., by her daughter, Susan. J.J. was her special love, and he took special care of her when she was in pain when others were unaware.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Capt. Douglas D. Darnell and Jeanette B. Darnell, and her son, Robert Alan Bell.

Survivors include her most wonderful friend, companion, and husband of 57 years, Curtis A. Bell, Sr.; two devoted sons, Curtis, Jr. and Michael Douglas of Tuscaloosa; two adoring daughters, Tisa Brothers (Jimmy) of Decatur and Susan Killough (Doug) of Tuscaloosa; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Shelby Brown (Bob) and Peggy Ingram; brother, Jimmy Darnell (Theresa); several nieces and nephews; and a special aunt, Mary Lane Keene.

Pallbearers will be Charles David Bell, Derwood Harkey, John Ingram, Gil Brown, Danny Logan, and Jeff Swindle.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Bryars, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Edwards, III, Dr. M.D. Reed, Dr. Richard Jones, Dr. David Hinton, Dr. David Harding, Dr. Dinesh Chandra, 1st Floor ICU DCH nurses, past and present employees of the Women's Pavilion, past and present members of West End United Methodist Church, past and present staff of the DCH OR, Red and Elaine Haywood, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Barton, and The Ms. Senior Alabama Board.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara asked that donations be made in her memory to the Lupus Foundation.