Frances Foster Bell was born on June 9, 1933 in Hillister, Texas to Rupert and Effie Foster. She was the third child born to this union and the oldest of four daughters. She attended and graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in 1951. Frances came to Christ and was baptized at an early age. She was a faithful member of Powerhouse COGIC for many years under the leadership of the late Dr. Robert J. Anderson. While attending Powerhouse, she served in various ministries. Later attending Greater Law Memorial COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Willie Jenkins, serving on the Mother’s Board.
Like her mother, Frances gave birth to a total of eight children. From her first marriage to Charles Jefferson, she gave birth to one son. Later she married Edgar Bell and seven more children were born. In 1964, Edgar passed away leaving Frances to raise their children by herself despite offers from family and friends to help her raise her children. Frances refused the help because she knew that would separate her children and she was determined to keep her family together.
In the workplace, Frances worked as a Personal Caregiver and Private Duty Nursing. This line of work came natural to Frances, as she was able to share her love for people. Her strength and resiliency afforded her the unique ability to handle all of life’s obstacles. Frances also possessed a spirit of giving that would always lead her to take care of others.
The love she had for her family knew no limits. As the matriarch of the family, you could always receive words of wisdom and encouragement. In every conversation, you could count on motherly advice supported by scripture. She found great joy in spending time with all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great- great grandchildren. Frances looked forward to traveling to California to visit her brother, Hubert Foster who passed away two months before her passing. She was a source of comfort and always made people feel like they could make it through anything; she was a confidant and pillar of wisdom for everyone. Frances was honest and if you didn’t want to hear the truth, she was NOT the one to ask.
On September 24, 2021, Frances transitioned from labor to reward. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Bell; one son, Anthony Jefferson; one daughter, Rosalind Anderson; granddaughter, Claudette Jefferson Maxwell; parents, Rupert and Effie Foster; brothers, James Foster, Marvin Foster, Hubert Foster; one sister, Gwendolyn F. Benjamin.
Left to cherish her loving memory, sons: Jerome Bell, Edgar P. Bell, Reginald L. Bell, Manuel C. Bell, Steven E. Bell (Stacey); daughter: Eva E. Galloway (Brian); brother; Donald W. Foster; sisters: Diane F. Livingston, Jacqueline F. Crockett; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
