Dora F. "Tibby" "Nanna" "Nanny" Bell, 80

GREENWOOD - Dora F. "Tibby" "Nanna" "Nanny" Bell of Greenwood passed away Friday, July 27, 2007, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 80.

Mrs. Bell was the daughter of the late John and Eliza (Dickerson) Foreman of Greenwood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, former local artist Booker "B.T." Bell.

She received her education in the public schools of Trinity, Greenwood, Phyllis Wheatley, Booker T. Washington and the former Delaware State High School in Dover. She graduated from Delaware State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education and continued her graduate studies at the University of Delaware and Salisbury (Md.) State University.

Mrs. Bell taught in the Milford School District for 30 years. She was once bestowed the honor of Delaware"s teacher of the year. During her career as an educator, she happily supervised at least eight student teachers from Delaware State University to assist them with receiving their state of Delaware Teachers Certification. She also served from time to time as a substitute teacher within the states of Delaware and Maryland.

Her greatest passion, besides her family, was for God and her church. From an early age she became a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Bridgeville. She was a devout Christian woman who served her church and conference in many capacities, such as church school teacher, Bible school teacher, lay speaker, financial secretary and pastor"s parish relations committee member, United Methodist Women member, unit leader and various other committees.

Mrs. Bell was honored to have been a lifetime member of the Delaware State University Alumni Association, serving as Alumni Trustee and Miss Alumni.

She was a dedicated social worker for the State of Delaware Child Welfare Department and also served as the 4-H Club leader for the Greenwood Helping Hands Club.

Mrs. Bell enjoyed flowers, balloons, traveling, attending Broadway plays, peanuts, shopping, chocolate candy, seafood, helping others and dining out.

She also enjoyed visiting her friends and relatives on Sunday afternoons after church. She had her favorite "Golden Girls" with whom she went out to brunch with almost every Sunday after church. They were Mary "Sis" Johnson and Bessie Holland.

Mrs. Bell"s best friend, Maggie Benson, preceded her in death by only a few weeks. In addition, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Beatrice Carter and Clarice Waters, formerly of Greenwood.

She was a wonderful wife and mother who tried to help everyone in need. She leaves to cherish her memories three sons, Bryant T. Bell and his wife Zoe of Wyoming, Howard N. Bell of Seaford, and John Kevin Bell of Adrian, Mich.; one brother, Preston Foreman of Greenwood; a granddaughter, Katrina Bell of Bridgeville; two grandsons, Fanton York of St. Louis and Brian Holloway of Dover; her adopted brothers and sisters, Craig Davis and Christine Spady of Greenwood, and Lestine Spady of Dover; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Trinity United Methodist Church, Dublin Hill Road, Bridgeville. A viewing will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service.

A funeral service in celebration of Dora"s life will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Baron Hopkins Sr. will deliver the eulogy.

Interment will be in the Trinity Church Cemetery, and the family will have a repast at Graham AME Church, First Street, Greenwood.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 698, Greenwood, DE 19950.

Professional services by Deborah E. Harris-Nock Funeral Services, Greenwood.