Sharon Dornida Bell

Sharon Dornida Bell was born in 1955 in Houston, Texas, to parents Eddie Ross Bell Sr. and Doris Furlow. She graduated from Forest Brook High School in 1973. She worked as a financial aid counselor for South Texas College of Law for many years. She found out that the employees she was training with no experience were making more money than she was simply because they had a college degree. So she quit and enrolled at Texas Southern University where she earned her bachelors in sociology. She wanted it to be in social work but she said the program was too long. She earned her masters degree in 2001 in social work instead.

Sharon found her mission in life and pursued a career in social work, caring for many people while employed with Arbor House, Trinity Life Center and the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (formerly known as MHMRA) before pursuing a career in education. She thrived as a special education teacher in the Houston Independent School DIstrict for over 15 years before retiring in 2019.

Sharon will be lovingly remembered by her mother, Doris Furlow; children Steven Bell (Sharon Bell), LaShaunda Bell and Rickey McGowan Jr. (Tena McGowan); Brother Linzell Delane; Sisters, Doris Wade and Narcissie Bell. She is preceded in death by her father Eddie Bell Sr. and her two brothers, Eddie Bell Jr. “Pete” and Othel Ellis.

In addition to her children, Sharon is mourned by her five beautiful grandchildren, Samari Bell, Thaddeus Bell, Noah Bell, Lennox McGowan and Eloise McGowan and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She wanted to send a special thank you to the Embark Family: Lizette Murray, Mary Ann Whitfield, Mary Moore, Donna Tracy, Nena Hyde, Daisy Black, Jo Ann Hoyer, Kathy Martin, Rachael Powell, Jasmine Jackson, Frank Alejandra and Keena Collins for their care and compassion.

A woman of class and distinction, she enjoyed shopping, cooking and spending time with her family. She was a master chef in the kitchen and made the best seafood gumbo and sweet potato pie you have ever had. She had a passion to know more about her family history. The desire to learn interesting things about her lineage and connect with distant relatives was very important to her.

Sharon was probably best known for her fierce determination, quick-witted humor and generous spirit. Her home was always open to family and friends. She kept people rolling with laughter because she could find humor in almost anything and anywhere. She is described by her children as one of the funniest people they knew. She lived a brave and love-filled life and will never be forgotten.

A visitation for Sharon will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Brookside Funeral Home - Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

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