Cynthia Lynn Bell

Cynthia Bell, beloved daughter, sister and friend to many has left this life and moved on to what lies beyond. Cynthia was born in Fort Worth, Texas on April 7, 1958. She attended French High School in Beaumont, Texas. Cynthia graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1980 with a cum laude degree in Political Science and History. She went on to obtain a law degree from the University of Houston School of Law in 1984. After graduation from law school she began her legal career working for the Austin law firm of Small, Craig and Werkenthin. In December of 1987 she began her life as a prosecutor. She first went to work in the Travis County Attorney’s Office under Ken Oden where she honed her skills as a trial lawyer. In 1992 Cynthia became an Assistant Travis County District Attorney under Ronnie Earle. Cynthia was a born prosecutor. She had a voice that would remind you that Janis Joplin was also from Beaumont. Juries would listen when Cynthia spoke. Generations of Grand Jurors in Travis County loved to have her present cases to them. But it was in trial that Cynthia was at her best. Her voice and demeanor could be intimidating to even skilled veterans of the courtroom. And for those silly enough to cross her personally in trial Cynthia could employ a wit so caustic that it left ashes in its wake. Once, commenting on her low-pitched voice a male lawyer asked her if she’d ever been mistaken for a man. “No” replied Cynthia, “have you?” She was a wonderful friend and a great companion to those fortunate enough to enjoy her friendship. Her ability to tell jokes and tales of the courtroom was legendary. She always believed the key to making even a bad joke work, was to get the timing right. She loved riding her motorcycle and she loved everything about the Big Bend. Heaven for Cynthia was spending time in West Texas, the Conejos River area in New Mexico or eating great food and listening to good music in New Orleans. The years when she would make her gumbo for U.T. tailgates would remind all of her friends that Beaumont is closer to Louisiana than Austin. While Cynthia liked to attend U.T. football games, she was an unapologetically fanatical fan of the U.T. baseball team. Not only did she love the baseball team, but she also understood the nuances of the game. Her husband Bill Willms preceded her in death. She is survived by her parents Eugene Velton Bell and Jean Mavis Bell of Beaumont, Texas, her brother Tim Bell of The Woodlands, Texas and her beloved dogs, Emily and Abigail. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 4 o’clock p.m. at the Allan House, 1104 San Antonio Street in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the Texas Scottie Rescue Fund, 5810 Windvale Dr., Windcrest, Texas 78239 Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com