Polly A Bell

Polly was the true definition of a hero, having retired not once but twice from NICU Nursing at both Tampa General Hospital and UAB Hospital after a 3+ decade career as a Registered Nurse.

Polly greatly loved and was deeply devoted to her family and friends, but in her spare time she had an immense passion for working with and riding horses, travelling to far away places, spontaneous planned adventures, and retail therapy o.k.a. shopping for all things fabulous – especially shopping for other people! She also gave extensively and in many ways to The Red Barn & The Red Bird Mission. She was a leader of the United Methodist Women at Irondale United Methodist Church (IUMC) with her mother Lillie and her aunt Mabel, and in her own right when they were no longer able to lead and passed to torch to Polly to continue lighting the way.

Polly lived life out loud, without apology – full of love and grace and a special humor all her own. She was our forever hippie, often quoted as saying, “hippies never die, we just dye our hair”.

Polly was preceded in death by her father Paul, her mother Lillie, her aunt Mabel, her dear friend Shelby, and her beloved canine companion Maggie.

She is survived by her son Eric Thompson and daughter in law Christal (Mysti), her daughter Melody Folmar and son in law Pete, her grandsons Damien Thompson, and Zachary and Grayson Folmar, her very best friend Judy Parker, her Uncle John Turner, and many cousins and relatives across the U.S.

Memorial service will be at Irondale United Methodist Church on March 11, 2023 at 11am.

Flowers are always welcome, but if you wish to donate in honor of Polly in lieu of flowers please send donations to The Red Barn, 2722 Bailey Road, Leeds, AL 35094.

She was our favorite mermaid, and she will be forever missed by those who love her… and to know her was to love her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Bell family.