Anne Bell Woods

She was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 3, 1936, to Vera Anabel Teague Hurst and Clyde Colon Hurst. As the child of a Burlington Mills plant manager, moving from town to town became a way of life for Anne in her early years, which may help to explain her adaptability, as well as her outgoing nature. We suspect Anne may have lived in over 20 different cities along the mid-Atlantic area, such as Radford, Martinsville, Charlottesville, Staunton, Danville, Vinton, VA, Southern Pines, NC and Hartwell, GA just to name a few. Anne spent many of her years in Roanoke Virginia and Winter Park, Florida. She later moved to Garner, North Carolina, to be closer to her children, family and new grandson.

Anne is survived by her three children, Calvin Bell (wife Beth Bell), Melinda Bell Dickey, John Bell, and one grandson, Carson Bell. (mother, Niki Bell). She is also survived by wonderful nieces, Taylor Bell, (West and Fisher Falls) Carter Bell (Julia), Niki Bell Bowling (Grayson, Curtis, and Landon), LeAn Hurst Fenton and Carolyn Hurst Collins, Karen (John) Guyer, Cindy Cavileer (son, Donovan) and Michele (Hans) Tammeling, great-nephew, Ross Collins, great-niece, Melinda Anne Collins Spicer and great-grand niece and nephew, Marley and Jett Spicer. Also, surviving are Anne’s brothers-in-law who she loved dearly, Ken Bell (wife, Debbie), Larry Bell (wife, Wanda), and Mike Bell (wife, Kim).

Anne was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brother, William (Bill) Hurst, her son-in-law, Terry Dickey, her first husband, Robert C (Bob) Bell and her second, very cherished husband, Paul Houston Woods.

Anne graduated from Hartwell High School where she flourished in many activities such as cheerleading, basketball, softball, Glee Club and Homecoming Court. She was the Beta Valentine Queen, the Winter Princess and was also Miss Hartwell, Georgia.

During high school, Anne had her ambitions clearly figured out, as she was quoted in her yearbook, “I think I want to be an artist”. Her formal art education began with winning a 1954 Georgia state art scholarship, at the Atlanta Art Institute and then studied art at the University of Georgia.

Anne loved to travel and see the beauty and majesty of the world! She traveled to China not long after opening of the country to outsiders, she made a trip to Super Bowl, and she attended the Academy Awards in California as guest of her dear friend actress Debbie Reynolds. She traveled to Europe with trips to Paris, Rome, and Venice, and visited friends all over the country including New Orleans and Colorado. She even traveled to lesser known events such as the Chitlin’ Strut in Sally, South Carolina.

Anne was a devoted companion to her beloved mother Vera for over 27 years and was a dedicated caregiver for the latter part of Vera’s life until her passing in 2018.

Of her early inspirations, Anne remarked “My journey to the world of art began when I was a young child. My mother Vera allowed me crayons and also-to help her sculpt biscuits into shapes, also I was taught to embroider my own designs on clothes that I made myself. My father Clyde liked for us to hang around his shop and we learned to use the tools to make things, both functional and toys. Also building and finishing antique furniture taught me the mechanics and beauty.”

Anne was involved in the Southwest Virginia arts community for many years. Continually experimenting & challenging herself with each work of art. Her thoroughness, enthusiasm & complete commitment to the project help make the entire creative process an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Anne has relished the journey that her art career has taken her on with much joyous splendor of meeting fascinating and famous clients and places of distinguished permanent installations in which her art abounds. She often felt that art particularly some of her murals were therapy for her, helping her to navigate some of her life’s biggest challenges.

Robert Berks, sculptor of the John I. Kennedy bust in the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., on viewing Anne Bell's work, remarked, "The difference between art and craft is the uniqueness of its message and the personality of the creator. This is a constant which transcends all customs and styles. Anne Bell has a special way of seeing the world. Within a formal and almost photographic style of presentation, she expresses herself within an original and unassuming wit which is presented in a soft manner, a fondness for the people she depicts, and a love for the special world she puts them into. She is charmingly selective; what she omits infers as much as what she incudes. A bittersweet nostalgia underlies all of Anne Bell's work, but her sense of sympathetic satire keeps it in balance. There is grace and elegance in her touch; a gentlewoman’s sensitivity for what she portrays. This is a rare and special talent.”

Anne received many National and International recognitions & acclaims. Anne's artwork is distributed across the country and abroad in various collections. Many Best of Shows, numerous commissions of large bodies of public art works, many famed sports figures, and Museum Murals. Anne's art is in a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie, “True Women”, many corporate spaces, Municipals, and court houses. She created portraits of many Federal Court and Supreme Court judges, art work for Civic Centers, and hundreds of portraits of families.

A few of Anne’s acclaimed commissioned portraits include:

The larger than life-size bronze statue of General Andrew Lewis, Salem Civic Center, Salem, VA.

The life-size bust of General Andrew Lewis, the Virginia House of Delegates, Richmond, VA. Presented by Governor Bob McDonnell.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt painting, permanent collection National D-Day Memorial Foundation Museum, Bedford, VA

Portrait of Federal Judge Jackson Kiser, Federal Court House, Roanoke, VA

Four commissioned portraits of golfer Payne Stewart in The Payne Stewart Golf Center Academy, SMU Dallas, TX

Lifesize portrait of golfer Dave Leadbetter, ChampionsGate Golf Club, Orlando, FL

Portrait of golfer Sam Snead, Greenbrier Hotel, Hot Springs, VA

Portrait of golfer Sam Snead, Panther Woods Country Club, Fort Pierce, FL

Portrait of Winnie Palmer for The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, Orlando, FL

Bronze bust portrait for WWII Historian Courtney West in Philadelphia, PA

Portrait of Mayor Noel Taylor, Municipal Building, Roanoke, VA

Portraits of the Lane brothers at Lane Stadium Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Portrait of the Commandant of VA Tech, Military Museum, VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA

200 portraits for Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Museum, Hollywood, CA

Portrait of actress Patricia Neal, personal collection

Patricia Neal portrait book illustration

Portrait of actor Andy Rooney, personal collection

Portrait of Karen Stupples, Women's British Open Winner, Dover, England

Portraits of daughter and wife of Herman Goering, WWII German Air Force, Sweden

At the dedication of one of her art pieces, Anne spoke these words:

“At this time I would like to challenge you to be ready to open the doors before you with great anticipation and enjoy each moment of your journey in life. Cherish your ideas & allow yourselves to explore what you can do with your wonderful life. Each one of you is capable of amazing accomplishments.”

Anne fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease with grace, wit, and warrior strength for the last seven years. We are inspired by her every day.

We would like to thank April Tabler for her amazing, loving, all-encompassing care that she provided for our mother for the last many years. In addition, we would like to thank her team of Tina, Tamia, Stephanie, and Dorothy, who also did an incredible job of caregiving for Ms. Annie B!

Donations in her honor can be made to the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Foundation for Research or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

The family extends an invitation to friends and loved ones for a special gathering in recognition and celebration of Anne’s magnificent life, Monday April 15th at 11:30 AM, in Greensboro, NC.

St Pius X Roman Catholic Church

2210 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27408

Phone: 336–272-4681

Lunch to be served immediately thereafter (in honor of Anne’s lifelong love of Stameys BBQ, we will be serving the Q!) at the St Pius Simmons Center just across the cloister.

Sincerely,

Melinda Bell Dickey, Calvin Bell, and John Bell