Charlotte Ann (Wilson) Bell
Born May 1, 1934 in Weirton, WV to Viola Mae (Barnett/Godfrey) and Alan Richard Wilson. She attended Richmond Elementary and Junior High and graduated in 1952 from Jefferson Union High School in Ross Ridge of Jefferson County, Ohio. She participated in the Debate club, Future Farmers of America and Future Teachers of America, Y-teens, Chorus, and Honor Society.
After graduation she moved to Columbus, Ohio and worked for the Federal Government at the Depot (Bldg. 29). Later she was hired at the State Department of MRDD where she worked until she was hired at Xerox/Field Publications where she worked until retirement.
Charlotte’s Christian life began at Second Baptist Church (Steubenville, Ohio) where she was baptized and later married Edward Bell. She joined Shiloh Baptist Church after relocating to Columbus. She later joined Oakley Baptist Church (Rev. Jacob J. Ashburn). She continued her Christian journey at New Fellowship Christian Church (Rev. David Foster) before becoming a member of Christ Memorial Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Shedrick Fowler until her death.
Charlotte married the late Edward Bell in 1952 and unto this union they gave birth to 4 children. Edward A Bell (fiancée-Pam), Columbus, Charleta V. (Michael) Tavares, Columbus, Lolita Renee (deceased) and Bryan Jeffrey (deceased).
Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her parents Viola Mae and Alan Richard Wilson, siblings William Godfrey, Marjorie (Godfrey) Estes, Antoinette (Godfrey) Simmons, Allen Richard Wilson, Nathaniel (Sam) G. Wilson, Sylvia Ann (Wilson) Bridges, Marva Lynn (Wilson) Berry. Left to mourn her are Viola Mae Wilson (Philadelphia), Catherine C. (Wilson) Bridges, Lular Elizabeth (Wilson) Smith, sister-in-law, Lorraine Wilson, brother-in-law, Kenneth Bell, and a host of nieces and nephews in the Bell and Wilson families.
Mrs. Bell was actively involved as a volunteer in many civic, social and political causes including the Chicago Avenue Elementary PTA, Gladden Community Civic Council, Girl Scout Brownie Troop Leader, Friends Helping Neighbors Clothing Drive, 29th District Political Caucus and Ohio AARP. Political campaign worker for Ray Miller for State Rep. and Senate, Janet Jackson (Municipal Court), Richard Cordray (Treasurer), Kevin Boyce (City Council and State Treasurer), Hagan/Tavares (gubernatorial campaign), Tavares (Council, Secretary of State, Representative and Senate), Priscilla Tyson (City Council), presidential campaign volunteer for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Mrs. Bell was one of the founding members of the Columbus Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women in the 1980’s.
After participating in a training to assist women with Lupus learn about their illness and to support others, she founded the Urban Lupus Support Group in the Central City of Columbus. The Urban Lupus Support Group met at the Hamlar Art Gallery within the Dental offices of Dr. David Hamlar.
Mrs. Bell testified before the Ohio House of Representatives about the impact of Lupus on African American and women of color and with the assistance of Cheryl Boyce, former director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health (OCMH), she successfully secured state funding for Lupus programs in the Commission’s budget. She was later appointed a commissioner of OCMH.
In addition, she founded the first in the state of Ohio, People of Color/Survivors of Suicide support group after the suicide death of her son, Bryan Jeffrey Bell. She also served on the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Planning Committee under the leadership of Director Michael Hogan to create the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (ohiospf.org) Because of all of her work to assist those with behavioral and mental health issues among people of color, she was honored by the Franklin County ADAMH Board, Columbus Area Mental Health (now named Columbus Area Integrated Health) and Community Housing Network by naming the Therapeutic Residential Facility on Bryden Road – The Bell Center.
She received numerous awards and recognitions including being inducted into the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Hall of Fame. Volunteer Recognition Award from OCMH, resolutions and citations from the Columbus City Council, Ohio House of Representatives, and the Ohio Senate.
Visitation 11:00am and Funeral 12:00 noon Friday June 22, 2018 at First Church of God 3480 Refugee Rd. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST 5456 E. Livingston Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers and to offer condolences to The BELL Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com
The family has asked that you honor Mrs. Bell by making contributions -in lieu of flowers to:
NAMI-Franklin County
People of Color/Survivors of Suicide
1225 Dublin Rd., Suite 110
Columbus, Ohio 43215
The Bell Center
℅ Columbus Area Integrated Health
815 Bryden Road
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
c/o NAMI-Ohio
1225 Dublin Rd
Columbus, Ohio 43215
To the family of Charlotte, you have my condolences in your loss. Words can not express the pain we feel when a close family bond is broken by death! May your faith in God’s promises grow as his word at 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 says, “For he (Jesus) must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. 26 And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing.”
To our dear Aunt Charlotte “Donnie” our families of the Bell & Wilson. Our hearts grieve the loss of a true Matriarch for our family. We will always remember how special you alway made us feel from childhood through adulthood. She was so proud of each individual achievement made via family and friends. My Aunt was a a true Christian and practice selflessness and devoted her heart and soul for community causes. God Bless you and give our family in Heaven a big hug from us all. You will be with us always. Till we meet again.
Love, David, Sheila, Twins-Elijah & Isaiah
Dear family we are sorry to hear about your loss death is difficult for family and friends however the Bible holds out hope for our deceased love ones found in the Bible book of John chapter 5 and verses 28 and 29. Why not read these scriptures in your personal copy of the Bible.
Peacefully Yours
For additional information about the resurrection hope please refer to JW.Org
Your family has our deepest sympathies at this precious time. The Lord has called His Warrior home. The Lord is with you.
Cecil and Triphinia Jones
There are no words to express the sorrow in our hearts. Please know that our deepest sympathy are with the family. May the God of all comfort help to ease the pain of your grief . You are in our thoughts.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Her work on suicide prevention made such a lasting difference in our community. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
I worked with Charlotte for many years at Xerox. She was so cheerful and kind all of the time, even when we were required to work overtime. I’ll always remember her fondly. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family.
Charleta and the entire Bell Family: My sincere condolence on the transition of “Mama Bell”. I always loved being around her and regret not seeing her in recent years. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. For this too shall pass – BUT her love and your memories will always be with you.
Love
Dear Family, Charlotte’s passing is an immeasurable loss to our family and certainly to yours. Her love and sense of duty for “All of God’s Children” will be with us forever. We will continue to pray as Charlotte would want us to! We will dearly miss her wise counsel.
To the Family, The Lord has called home a beautiful sole. Your loss and ours will be felt for many years but our hope is knowing that our Lord will give us comfort if we just hold onto Him. She will be greatly missed. A woman with a lot of wisdom and courage. One would take heed to remember her wise counsel.
Dearest Eddie & Charleta & the rest of our family: Please know that you are in my heart & prayers. Beautiful, fierce Charlotte Bell/Aunt Donnie now lives in heaven in her strong, transformed body (I Corinthians 15:44, 49). She is dancing joyfully with Uncle Eddie, Jeff, Renee, Grandmom, Grandfather, brothers, sisters and the rest of her loved ones. I am thankful to God for her love and encouragement. When a woman of the caliber, morality, and accomplishment of Aunt Donnie loves you and thinks you’re something, then nothing is impossible to achieve! I love you, Aunt Donnie and look forward to spending eternity with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Charlotte and the Lupus Support Group were a godsend when I moved from Colorado to Columbus in the early 90’s.
To the Bell and Tavares Family,
I offer my deepest regrets and condolences to you and your family during this time of sorrow. Your angel received her wings. Please know I am praying for you and with you that God will strengthen and comfort you.
Robin A. Jones
To Charleta and the family. We were so sorry to read about the passing of your mother Charlotte. Our prayers are with you and your family in this time of grief and celebration. Jane and Bill Myers
Heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your mom. She was a remarkable woman and her work on suicide prevention made a lasting difference to our community. May the special memories you have of happy times together bring you comfort in the days to come.
Lynn Dobb