Annie Belle Worley Bell

Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell, age 102, went to be with the Lord, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith, service, hard work, and love for her family and community.

Annie Belle “Ann” Worley Bell was born to Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley on June 5, 1924, in Lancaster, Texas. She attended Lancaster schools and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She was the only daughter among eight children and was raised on the family’s cotton farm, where she developed the strong work ethic, determination, and compassion that defined her remarkable life.

Following her marriage to the love of her life, John B. Bell, and in making their home with their four children in Sherman, Texas, she began her career with IBM. They later moved to Boulder, Colorado, where she advanced in her profession and served as Lead Personnel Analyst until her retirement in 1980.

Following her retirement from IBM, Ann and her husband moved back to Texas and became owners and operators of Bell Hardware & Feed in Collinsville. After selling the business, she worked for many years at the Gainesville Livestock Market. Later in life, she devoted her time to service as a volunteer and ultimately volunteer director of Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank in Whitesboro.

During her career with IBM, Ann was recognized for her leadership and accomplishments, including her 1965 nomination as the second female president of the IBM Club. Following her retirement, her volunteer work and dedication at Your Neighbor’s House Food Bank earned her the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Humanitarian Award from the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce.

She later moved to a senior living facility in McKinney, where she lived for nine years and continued her volunteer service before moving to Bowie to be near her daughter.

Ann will be remembered for her extraordinary work ethic, sharp intellect, generous heart, and unwavering commitment to helping others. She believed every opportunity to serve was a blessing.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Bell; her parents, Alfred Worley and Ella Dean King Worley; and her seven brothers.

She is survived by her four children: James ‘Jim’ Bell; John A. Bell and wife Robin; Jeryl ‘Jerry’ Bell; and Janis Crawley and her husband, Joe. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, as well as loving nieces and nephews, dear friends, and many others whose lives were touched by her kindness, wisdom, and example.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bowie Mission Food Bank in Bowie, Texas.

Services will be held at Turrentine Jackson Morrow (Meador) Funeral Home in Whitesboro, Texas, Visitation Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 6:00-8:00PM and Services on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 2:00PM, officiated by Ricky Patterson, followed by graveside services at Oakwood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.