Martha Mae Bell

Martha Mae Bell, age 84, of Springfield, Missouri, departed this life on Friday, July 13, 2012 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri following a sudden illness. Martha was born on December 1, 1927 in Stone County, Missouri, the daughter of James Asburry McCullah and Trussa Iva (Newman) McCullah. In the late 60’s, Martha operated the Nifty Café in Bolivar, Missouri and another restaurant in Stockton, Missouri with her late husband Joe Jarvis. They also operated beauty shops in Bolivar and Stockton, and a convenience store/gasoline station in Bolivar. She retired in 1975 to care for Joe who became paralyzed after suffering a stroke. On December 9, 1989, Martha was united in marriage to Wilfred (Bill) Bell at the Eudora Baptist Church in Eudora, Missouri. She considered Bill’s children to be her own, as Martha had no children prior to their union. Martha was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri. She was a loving wife, sister, step-mother, step-grandmother and great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, and great-great-aunt. Proceeding her in death were her parents, James and Trussa McCullah, and her first husband Joe Jarvis. She is survived by her husband; Wilfred (Bill) Bell of the home, her sister; Helen Miller and her husband George of Beggs, Oklahoma, her brother; Frank Artz and his wife Barbara of Walnut Grove, Missouri, her step-daughters; Janice Kleinschmidt of Palm Springs, California, and Toni Lynn Hall and her husband Fred of Kingsville, Missouri, her nephews; Larry Artz and his wife Lynn of Walnut Grove, Missouri, and Doug Artz and his wife Penny of Walnut Grove, Missouri, Nieces; Carolyn Smith of Claremore, Oklahoma, Linda Kite and her husband Jeff of Halfway, Missouri, Julie Johnson and her husband Tracy of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Becky Auberry and her husband Jeff of Claremore, Oklahoma, Kim Chamberlin and her husband Gary of Collinsville, Oklahoma, along with two step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, twenty-one great-nieces and nephews and ten great-great nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog; Stormy that will forever miss Martha. Memorial Service for Martha will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield, Missouri with Rev. Jim Massey officiating under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar, Missouri. Burial will be at 2:00pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Morrisville Cemetery in Morrisville, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00am, prior to service time. Memorial Contributions may be made to The L.E.O. Group, Wesley United Methodist Church, 922 West Republic Road, Springfield, Missouri 65807 (or) the charity of your choice in Martha’s honor. Friends and family may sign the guestbook or leave private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Martha Mae Bell

December 1, 1927 - July 13, 2012