Wanda Bell, 79, left us very unexpectedly Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. Wanda was not only a great mom, Nana and Aunt Wanda to her family, she also was a great friend to so many.
Service: 3 p.m. Saturday in Laurel Land Memorial Chapel. Interment: Rosedale Cemetery in Ada, Okla. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fort Worth Food Bank, American Red Cross, Fort Worth Symphony or a charity of choice.
Wanda was born, grew up and married in Oklahoma City. She left Oklahoma long enough to attend and graduate from Campion Academy in Loveland, Colo., being a member of the great class of 1949. In 1955, Wanda moved with her husband and newborn daughter to Dallas, where her husband taught school before going to work for IBM. IBM moved the family to upstate New York for two years, then moved them in 1961 to Fort Worth, where she lived the remainder of her life.
Wanda graduated from TCU College of Nursing and was invited to be among the first members of the TCU honor society, actually becoming a member of Sigma Theta Tau (the nursing honor society) and remained a member the rest of her life.
Wanda became a member of the Fort Worth Woman's Club in 1970, serving as treasurer, president, director of the club board and in other offices of departments at the Woman's Club.
When the Fort Worth Republican Woman's Group was formed, Wanda chose to join and remained a very active member ever since joining. She served as club president, parliamentarian and membership chair, and held other offices as well including precinct chair in Fort Worth. Wanda served on the TFRW board for several years, including district director and patron/regents co-chair. In 1996, she was honored by the TFRW "Tribute to Women" and in 2005 was awarded one of "10 Outstanding Women."
In the summer of 1974, Wanda worked as a volunteer relief nurse in Malawi, Africa, where she met Flora and Justin Nkumba. Over the years, Flora and Justin's children, DeWitt, Derwin, Debbie and Druscilla, came to regard Wanda as Grandma and are very much part of the family. She will be missed by many.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Laura Newton; her sister, Myrtle Lee Munroe; and her husband of 55 years, Robert Bell.
Survivors: Daughter, Deborah Silvera and husband, Rick; granddaughter, Andrea Taylor; great-grandson, Damian; grandchildren, DeWitt, Derwin, Debbie and Druscilla Nkumba; and numerous nieces and nephews.
