Jan Reynolds Bello

Jan Carol-Kathryn “Queenie” Reynolds Bello passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the age of 81, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, just two days shy of her 82nd birthday. She was a resident of Prairieville, Louisiana. She was born on March 19, 1943, in Mobile, Alabama, to Guy Reynolds and Helen Jordan Reynolds. Growing up Jan was given the nickname “Queenie” by her dad because she was the queen of the house. She enjoyed taking ballet and tap classes and had a dream of becoming a Radio City Rockette dancer in New York City. Unfortunately, her dream was dashed when she did not grow tall enough for the height requirement. After graduating from Murphy High School in 1961, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree from Spring Hill College in 1965. While attending Spring Hill College, she worked odd jobs to pay her tuition, one of which was becoming the first woman to deliver the local newspaper. She would deliver newspapers every morning before going to class. From there, she attended graduate school at LSU in Baton Rouge receiving her Master of Social Work degree in 1967. During her time in graduate school, she met and married Russel Bello, Jr., at St. Joseph’s Chapel at Spring Hill College. After graduation, they moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where they both began their careers as social workers. She spent her career helping children. First, through the Office of Public Health Children’s Special Health Department at the Health Unit and later on through the Child Protection Agency. She also taught college classes in Lake Charles through the LSU School of Social Work. She loved cats and enjoyed music, reading, traveling, watching LSU and Saints football, attending concerts and plays. Her greatest joy was upon retirement moving to Prairieville, Louisiana, to be a full time “Bams” to her grandchildren and all of their friends. Her immediate family was small, but she was blessed to have a cousin and a few close friends that became her family. She held each one dear to her heart and enjoyed spending time and creating memories with them. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Wisdom and her husband, Anthony, and grandchildren, Grace Wisdom and Garret Wisdom; her great niece, Anjanette Trebing and her husband Geoffrey, along with three great, great nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Joan Thomas, and her two nieces, Angela Thomas and Ann Thomas Crawford. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 4, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 15615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70817. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am officiated by Father Todd Lloyd. Family and friends are welcomed to attend a reception at Jan’s home after mass. Interment will occur at a later date at Serenity Oaks Memorial Park in Prairieville. Special thanks to Jefferson Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Baton Rouge for all of their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cat Haven, 11130 N. Harrells Ferry Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.