Mary Lou Macon Bell

Mary Lou was born in Raleigh, NC on Dec. 27, 1936 to Hal Thomas Macon and Elsie Warren Macon. She was a graduate of Needham Broughton High School, St. Mary’s School and Queen’s College in Charlotte. After graduating from Queen’s, she taught second and third grades for five years. She then returned to Raleigh and taught at Myrtle Underwood where she attended elementary school. While in Raleigh, she met her soul mate, Charlie Bell in 1966. Charlie proposed at Lassiter Mill with the band of a cigar. They soon married later that year. Charlie’s career moved the couple to Houston, TX, Pittsburgh, PA, and Charlotte, NC until settling in her beloved Raleigh, NC. There they raised two children, Charles and Alison.

Mary Lou was active for many years in the Junior League of Raleigh, Charlotte, and Pittsburgh, PA. Mary Lou was an active volunteer at the Mordecai House where she spent countless hours. She served on the Board of Directors for the Mordecai Square Historical Society. Mary Lou was a docent at the Governor’s Mansion. She was a member of the Raleigh Fine Arts, the Epicurean Book Club and the Seed and Sod Garden Club. She was also a member of DAR - Daughters of the American Revolution. Along with her sister, she once owned an antique business. Mary Lou and Charlie enjoyed many social clubs and spending time with friends. She attended several Bible studies weekly for many years. She had a strong faith and along with her husband were long time members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Mary Lou had many close friends including a group of lifelong friends that she met in elementary school. Mary Lou loved Atlantic Beach and spending time there was one of her true joys. She enjoyed sharing her love of the beach with her children and grandchildren.

Above all else, Mary Lou loved her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was known for being kind, caring, patient and loving. She had a sparkle in her eyes and a beautiful smile that lit up the room. Mary Lou was a very gracious, loving and devoted mother. She was always available and was a great listener. Her husband Charlie always said, “Mary Lou is the most unselfish person he ever met.” Her children and grandchildren agree. Her greatest love was spending time with her husband Charlie of 54 years, her children and their families which includes four grandchildren.

Mary Lou is predeceased by her parents, Hal Thomas Macon and Elsie Warren Macon and her loving husband, Charles Emmett Bell, Jr.

She is survived by a son, Charles E. Bell III and wife Kathryn Bell of Raleigh; a daughter, Alison Bell Hawse and husband James Hawse of Raleigh; and four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Charles Bell IV; and Macon and James Hawse; sister, Elsie Sapp and husband Baxter Sapp of Durham; and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 27th at 2:00 pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made on behalf of Mary Lou Macon Bell to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd. Raleigh, NC 27608 or to the Dementia Alliance of NC, 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206 Raleigh, NC 27615.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh.