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Submitted: 8/26/19 • Approved: 8/27/19 • Last Updated: 9/26/19 • R1276327-G1276326-S3
US Navy
March 17, 1925 - May 27, 2011
Dr. L. J. Patrick Bell, 86, of Pascagoula passed away on Friday, May 27, 2011. He was born March 17, 1925 in Helena, Arkansas to Dr. Louis J. Bell and Joyce Piosk Bell. He attended Sacred Heart Academy in Helena, AR and Christian Brothers College in Memphis, TN. Dr. Bell graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1948, he worked his two year internship at Philadelphia General Hospital in Philadelphia, Penn. He continued with a surgery residency at St. John's Hospital in Cleveland, OH. In 1950, he enlisted into the Navy and following his basic training he was assigned to the Marines at Camp Pendelton for medical services. On August 16, 1952, he married Joan Frances Seiler in Cleveland Ohio. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Helena to establish his private practice until he retired at the age of 78. In 2005, he moved to Pascagoula, MS. Dr. Bell is a former member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena and attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Pascagoula, MS. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Board of Arkansas Foundation for Health Care in Little Rock and he was a former president of Southern Medical Assembly in Memphis, TN. Dr. Bell was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joyce Bell Reilly.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Seiler Bell, Pascagoula; three sons and one daughter, Dr. Louis Jesse Patrick Bell, II (Ellen), Helena, AR; Dr. Michael Francis Bell, (Deborah), Russellville, AR; Dr. Timothy James Bell (Cheri), Fort Smith, AR; and Maura Bell Whitlock, (Dr. Rick), Pascagoula; 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 29, 2011, 2:00-4:00pm, at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula with Rosary to be recited at 2:00pm by Father Michael Kelleher. Additional Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held in Helena, AR with burial at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Helena, AR
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Joan
Apr 18, 1929 - Apr 1, 2018
In keeping with her beautiful life, Joan Seiler Bell passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Easter morning, April 1, 2018. Just shy of her birthday, she lived every moment of her 89 years devoted to family, friends and God.
Joan was born on April 18, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio to Frank and Marie Seiler. After graduating from St. John's nursing school, she worked with the Red Cross in Washington, D.C. before returning to work in surgery at St. John's Hospital in Cleveland where she met a fun-loving Irishman from Arkansas. Joan married Dr. L.J. Patrick Bell on August 16, 1952 and their adventure began. They made their home in Helena, Arkansas where Joan was a homemaker raising three busy boys and a daughter. She was a talented artist, gardener and antique hunter who loved to extend hospitality and entertain. Joan stayed busy serving on the Helena City Council, Helena Pilgrimage and St. Mary's Altar Society. When the youngest left for college, she opened 'Formal Affair" and enjoyed serving many brides over the years. In addition, she ran "Bell's Ducks by the Levee" restaurant in the evening.
After her husband's retirement from 50 years of practicing medicine, they moved to Pascagoula, MS. She loved living in the South, especially on the Coast. Pat told her "if he moved her any further South, she'd get her feet wet." Embracing the opportunities of their new home, Joan joined the Anola Club, Pascagoula Pride, Maritime Museum and Twentieth Century Club. She loved being with people, going to estate sales, entertaining and meeting with the "gossip girls" at Crazy B's. She was grateful to the community of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Pascagoula for embracing her with loving friendship and hospitality.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Marjorie Gilman and Eleanor Loretta and her husband of 59 years, Dr. L. J. Patrick Bell. She is survived by two sisters, Carolyn Seiler and Sister Mary Francismarie, SND of Ohio; three sons, Dr. Pat (Ellen) Bell of Helena, Arkansas; Dr. Mike (Debbie) Bell of Russellville, Arkansas; Dr. Tim (Cheri) Bell of Fort Smith, Arkansas and one daughter, Maura (Dr. Rick) Whitlock of Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was Precious/RayRay to Samantha Bell, Maryjo (Joe) McElduff, Kaity (Hunter) Bryant, Patrick Bell, III, Erin (Angelo) Paladino, Matt (Allison) Bell, Amanda (Kevin) Corrigan, Daniel (Kirsten) Bell, Sarah Bell, Jennifer (Jesse) Highfill, Chris (Jessica) Bell, Dr. Molly Bell, Stephen Bell, Dr. Richard (Hailea) Whitlock, II, Spencer Whitlock and Bethany (Jake) Lewis.
Her family continued to grow in love with 16 great grandchildren and two additions arriving this summer.
Visitation will be Monday, April 9, 2018 at 9:30am with mass to follow at 11 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pascagoula, MS with Father Michael Kelleher officiating. Burial will be held with a graveside service in Helena, Arkansas at St. Mary's Cemetery at 11 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements are being handled by O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home.
Contributed on 8/26/19 by sandycurry10
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Record #: 1276327