Ruth Amy Bell

Ruth Bell, a long time citizen of Abilene passed away May 23nd from complications of a stroke. She was 96. Ruth moved to Abilene in the early forties with her husband, H. Frank Bell. She grew up on a farm in Donna, a small town in South Texas. She had seven brothers and one sister and dutifully helped made sack lunches for all of them on school mornings. She married Frank at age 19 and had a first child shortly thereafter. She loved Frank's determined pragmatism. He once took apart the bed of his first born to repair the chicken coop for the back yard chicken business. She protested, but followed his lead. She felt safe with Frank - safe enough to have three more children spaced apart by years. It was as if she wanted to savor each child. Including numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren she had a baby in her arms for 75 years. “I love my babies,” she said frequently. In the sixties, she took up drawing and painting. Although not a natural, she persisted at art and became accomplished. She loved still life realism in oil. She also did Texas landscapes. She was very proud to note that some of her paintings were purchased over the years. Her paintings hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren. After Frank passed away in 1990, Ruth took up dancing. She always loved to dance, but Frank had limited ability and interest. She began to take weekly lessons and was thrilled to have the chance to get in all of the dancing that her heart desired. She continued dancing into her 80's until a first stroke limited her mobility. The past ten years have been spent in senior living. She enjoyed her freedom of living alone and having friends and acquaintances close. You could hear her say, “It sure is nice not to have dishes to do.” She has had many friends over the years – too numerous to list. She was loyal to her friends and loyal to Abilene. She had no patience for those that complained about Abilene. Abilene was her home and never once was she heard to say she wished she had lived somewhere else. She was proud and content with her home, her family and her friends. Ruth loved to whistle and Saturday morning chores were usually accompanied by Ruth whistling a tune as she went about her work. She also whistled her children home for dinner. Her whistle meant two things: it was time to hustle home and something good was on the table. Mom, we will be listening for your whistle. LeRoy Bell. Jeannette Tiffany-Bell, Polly O'Neal-Bell. Paul Bell. Graveside Services will be Saturday May 25th at 10:30 a.m. at Elmwood Memorial, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Remembrances may be made to: Hospice of the Big Country or Hendrick Home for Children.