Carol Lee Bell

Carol Lee Bell, age 85, of little Rock, died peacefully on Friday, January 1, 2016 New Year's Day in Plano Texas with her daughter, Nancy by her side. She was born September 3, 1930 in Humphrey Arkansas, the middle of six children born to Bernard and Nancy Edna Roe Ball. When in high school Carol's family moved to Pine Bluff, Carol stayed with the Osbourn family until she finished school. She graduated Valedictorian of her class. After graduation she followed her older sisters' path applying to St Vincent's School of Nursing in Little Rock. Later when the Nuns realized that she was actually younger than what had been put on her application they couldn't expel her because of her achievements. Her senior year of nurses training she still did not possess a drivers license. That's when she met her future husband, Harold D. Bell with the Arkansas State Police, who issued her drivers license. He passed her. He would often laugh and say not only did he have to teach her to drive he had to teach her to cook as well. After they were married he was transferred to El Dorado, Arkansas where she worked at Warner Brown Hospital. There she crossed paths with Gladys Beal. Gladys and Carol later joined forces to head up the VA's OR Department in Little Rock. At the VA one of Carols greatest loves was being on one of the first open heart teams in the state. After Gladys' retirement Carol was the OR Clinical Coordinator. She dedicated herself to maintain the highest standards for the VA and the OR staff. There was no task too menial for her to perform and she worked tirelessly. She transformed a closet into sleeping quarters for herself so she could be there during inclement weather, working double shifts or for others. She became "Mom" to many nurses and residents who worked or passed through the VA's surgical suite. She was well loved and respected for her high standards of work, client care, and her passion for being an OR nurse. This love of her profession was inspiring, and she supported or mentored many future nurses and operating room techs' who were unable to pay for their schooling. Her love of life, infectious laugh, her caring and compassion for others and never ending energy were contagious. These qualities, and her love of the Lord never wavered and carried her through the difficult times in her life, especially when her beloved husband Harold died and throughout the years with the disease which ultimately took her life. The zeal that she possessed brought her the love of many and she was always considered a friend for life. She brought joy, love and laughter to all she met and she didn't have just one child but called many her children. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Nancy Edna Ball of Pine Bluff and her husband, Maj. Harold D Bell. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Bell Clark of Dallas, her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Harrod of Pine Bluff and three sisters, Opal Vincent of Rison, Doris Brannum of Haughton, Louisiana, Lucille Rider of Hope. Special thanks goes to Carol's nephews, Jack and Jim Harrod, formally of Pine Bluff, who live in Plano Texas and have been there to give their support, assistance and love to Carol and her daughter. A funeral service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Thursday, January 7, 2015 at 10 a.m. officiated by Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder. A private burial will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences or UT Southwestern Alzheimer's Research Dept. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.