Edith Ernestine Bell

Edith Ernestine Bell, 89 of Strong, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at her home. She was born April 9, 1921, in Strong to the late William Iveson Johnson and Lizzie Xora Lewis Johnson and was a member of New London Baptist Church. She was a homemaker who loved to cook, crochet, read, garden, canning, was an accomplished seamstress and a master at crossword puzzles. Most of all, she loved and enjoyed her family. She is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Curtis Jerome Bell; parents; one sister, Marguerite Johnson Henley of McGehee; grandson, Clarence E. Bell, and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Bell. Ernestine is survived by a son, Eugene Bell and wife Joan of Strong; two daughters, Carolyn Martin and husband Joe, of Carlisle, and Mary Jane Kirby and husband Elton of Mountain Home; one sister Maurice Johnson Williams; five grandchildren, Lisa and Scott Fife of Parkers Chapel, Melissa Martin of Montgomery, Ala, Brian and Jodi Martin of Carlisle, Josh and Lori Boaz of Bentonville, and Jennifer Boaz of Springfield, Mo.; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley Bell of West Monroe, La., Courtney and Matthew Mardis of Ruston, La., William Bell of Litroe, La., Jessica, Ethan, and Payne Fife of Parkers Chapel; Allie Boaz of Bentonville, and Brody Martin of Carlisle; one great-great-grandchild, Kegan O'Neil of West Monroe, La.; and nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. A visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, January 22, at New London Baptist Church. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, January 23, at New London Baptist Church with Scott Young and Brandon Phillips officiating. Burial will follow at Green Grove Cemetery under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors. An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.