Patricia Ann Foster was born on Saturday, November 22, 1947 to parents Willie and Carol Foster. Patricia is the fifth of 8 siblings. Raised as an active member of the African American Episcopal Church, she attended St. John AME Church in her early years. She remained a faithful Christian and maintained her love for God throughout her life.
She attended Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was a robust and well-rounded experience that prepared Patricia for a strong career in academia. At Booker T. Washington, she was President of the National Honor Society, Class President and a National Merit Semi-finalist.
After receiving a scholarship from the Harmon Foundation and influenced by her older brother Sonny, she decided to attend Oklahoma State University. While at OSU she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was active in the Afro-Am Organization.
Patricia married her beloved life partner, Clifford Bell, and their union produced a beautiful daughter – Chantele Bell. Her husband, Clifford, preceded her in death.
Dr. Bell was Professor emeritus in the OSU Department of Sociology. She began her career at OSU in 1981 as an assistant professor in Sociology. She presented research findings in international meetings around the globe. Dr. Bell received a Fulbright Award to travel in Israel and Jordan, and she has taught in Central America.
Dr. Bell served as Head of the Department of Sociology from 1994 - 2000 and again from 2005 - 2009. In 1994, she because the first African American faculty member to serve as Head of an academic department at OSU.
Dr. Bell also co-chaired the committee that established the "D" (Diversity) designated course, which was implemented in 2008 as a course requirement on every OSU undergraduate degree sheet. She also co-authored the proposal to charter the OSU Black Alumni Association (now the Black Alumni Society).
Dr. Bell holds bachelors degree in Mathematics and Sociology (1970 and 1972), as well as the M.S. in Sociology (1974) all from OSU.
Being a child of the turbulent decades of the 1960s and 1970s, Dr. Bell felt a need to better understanding the dynamics of racial and societal unrest.
After being awarded an academic Fellowship from the American Sociological Association, she entered the doctoral program in Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin where she received her Ph.D. in 1979.
Dr. Bell's almost three decades of service to OSU imprinted an incredible and profound legacy that undergirds the university's present significant and sustained committed to diversity and inclusion.
As a professor at Oklahoma State, she was well known for mentoring her students and organizations such as the African Student Organization. She was active with the Habitat for Humanity chapter in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
She enjoyed international travel and visited many countries with her latest trip being to places like Vietnam, Thailand, Belize and China just a name a few. She loved to cook and entertain. She is survived by her Brother Willie Foster Jr., her sisters Barbara Jackson and Carolyn Foster, her younger brother Larry Foster and host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
A Memorial Service & Celebration of Dr. Patricia's life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home, located at 1029 South Greenville Avenue, Richardson, Texas 75081.
Following the service, a reception will be held at the Sparkman Richardson reception area.
Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home in Richardson, Texas has charge of arrangements.
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