Tessa was a native of Creole and resident of Grand Lake. She was a graduate of Kaplan High School Class of 2002 and then went on to attend McNeese State University where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree. During her time at McNeese, Tessa worked in the banking industry and discovered it was her calling. She was the branch manager at Investar Bank in Lake Charles.
Tessa was known to never meet a stranger and made sure to make anyone around her feel like family. As much as she loved her job, she was her son, nieces and nephews BIGGEST FAN following them in all sports that they played. Those who knew Tessa will always remember her beautiful smile and the love she wanted to give everyone.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Austin Bell; parents, James and Cynthia Bertrand Bell; sister, Jamie Bell; niece, Amaya; two nephews, Kealan and Dreysen; godchildren, Jaiven and Trel'yn; several cousins and numerous bonus nieces and nephews; bonus sister and brother, Teshia and Carlin; uncle, Phillip Bell; aunts, Ann Newman and husband Coochie, Nancy Thomas, Sissy Nunez and husband Dan, Beverly Salter and Brenda Grimm and husband Dave.
She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Billy and Faye Bertrand; paternal grandparents, James and Mary Bell and uncles, Curtis Bertrand and Robert Bertrand.
The family will welcome relatives and friends at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Monday, May 29, 2023 beginning at 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. until the procession leaves for the church at 1:15 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church. Burial will be immediately following at Chenier Perdue Cemetery in Creole.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com for the Bell family.