Pat was born on March 13, 1930 in Kansas City, MO, to William Galletin and Cora Rosalind Coleman. Pat was one of 7 children, five sisters and one brother. On August 8, 1948 Patricia married William Elmore “Bill” Bell, they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Bill often affectionately referred to Pat as Sweetie. Pat lived most of her life in the Bronaugh or Nevada area. She worked in the Bronaugh School cafeteria for several years and then at Citizens State Bank of Nevada retiring in 1995. She was most happy fulfilling her duties as wife to Bill, Mom to six children, their spouses and extended families, all of whom were always treated as one of the family. Pat was the driving force in making sure her family was together for every imaginable occasion possible.
Pat was proud of her family and never shy to express it. She adored her 14 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. They were all known to her collectively as “The Kids” and she was known to all of them simply as either “Mom” or “Granny”. The kids were her lifeline to staying young at heart. She very much enjoyed attending all their activities and always encouraged them to do well. There was never a forgotten birthday, so you were sure to get at least a card from Mom or Granny. Even in her last hours, at her weakest time on this earth, when she would hear “Hi Granny”, if only for brief moments, she would open her eyes or just smile.
Pat gave her time, her love and her talents unconditionally. She was exceptionally talented and could make or create anything; clothes, wedding dresses, wedding and birthday cakes, porcelain dolls, and even parade floats for our annual fall festival to name a few. She worked the daily crossword puzzle with ease, still don’t know how she did that, she loved to read and taught us to love books too, she loved to work jigsaw puzzles and play games. We were no challenge for her in the game of Scrabble. She was the family photographer and was never without her camera, capturing every special moment to be compiled in albums and scrap books for each child to later cherish. She researched and collected family genealogy, setting the foundation for others to someday continue her desire to find her heritage. She was a collector of many things such as dolls, bears, and toys. Pat loved her home of 33 years built by her sons and she never wanted to leave it. Pat loved flowers, especially yellow roses. She loved holidays, her favorites were Christmas, Easter, and Fourth of July. Pat loved and celebrated her God and country and was not afraid to express it, that’s how we identified their car, we just looked for the one with all the flags and Jesus stickers on it.
First and foremost, as a Christian Pat was very strong in her faith, she served her heavenly Father, supported Bill in his ministry, and taught children’s Sunday school, filling their little hearts and minds with the love of Jesus. She held her church membership in the Deerfield Baptist Church, Deerfield, Mo. She was happiest when all her family was with her in church sharing their vocal and instrumental talents.
In addition to her husband, Bill she is survived by a sister Betty Noah, of Independence MO, her brother Bill G. Coleman Jr., of Chandler, AZ; daughters, Linda Simmons of Joplin, MO; Joyce Bealer and Andy of Branson, MO; Janet Smith and Phil of Liberal, MO; sons, Gary Bell and Carrol of Pittsburg, KS; Tim Bell and Kristie of Pittsburg, KS; Dave Bell, Highland Ranch, CO. (13) grandchildren: Melanie Boyd, Stephanie Swearingen and Tim, Jena & Dennis Wells, Mindy Bell, Tracy and Amiee’ Danner, Todd and Deborah Danner, Matthew and Ariel Bealer, Marcie and Eric Acker, Courtney Shafer, Morgan Shafer, Katie Smith, Jared & Christy Bell, Phillip Bell; (34) great-grandchildren: Kalen Bradley, Reagan Bradley, Logan Bradley, Jordan Boyd, Lauren Silvola, Brook and Ben Fisher, Jadyn Swearingen, Carter Swearingen, Christy Danner, Heather Danner, Allie Danner, Bailey Danner, Zachary and Hannah Arthur, Christina and Caleb Pinion, Megan Arthur, Cody Danner, Sarah Danner, Josh Danner, Wesley Potter, Garret Potter, Isabell Wells, Devrie Wells, Blayne Acker, Brayleigh Acker, Brynner Acker, Kyler Duncan, Tucker Jameson, Lillyann Bell, Aubriana Bell, Ellie Bell, Vivian Bell; (3) great great-Grandchildren: Adrien Clarke, Elizabeth Arthur, Elianna Arthur; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Ruby Sims, Micky Robertson, Eddie Hull, and Charlotte Conway; grand-daughter Kimberly Marie Shafer.
Family will receive friends Wednesday, September 5th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO. Funeral services for Pat will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 6, at First Baptist Church, 301 N. Highland, Nevada, MO. Services will be conducted by Andy Bealer and Ron Woody. Graveside service for Pat’s final resting place will be at Newton Burial Park Cemetery in Nevada, MO conducted by Hubert Conway.
The family suggest in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Alzheimer’s Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to Ferry Funeral Home 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.
