I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.         2 Timothy 4:7-8

     Winifred Joyce Bell was born March 16, 1957, to Edward, Sr. and Joyzelle (Byrdlon) Bell in Galveston, Texas. She was the eldest child of nine children born to Edward and Joyzelle.

     At an early age, Winifred Joyce, affectionately called “Winnie,” received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. In her early years, she attended church at Greater Macedonia Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late S. A. Anderson, and in her latter days, she attended church under the pastorate of the late V. Wright at Jesus Is Lord Church.

     Winifred attended public schools in the La Marque Independent School District school system. She worked for Hitchcock Independent School District in custodial services and worked as a home healthcare provider for many years until her health prohibited her from working. Winnie had plenty to keep her busy! Winnie shared with others her passion of cooking and baking, but the greater of the two was baking. She could really throw down with her famous German Chocolate Cake! Winnie loved to sing and shared her talent with a couple of singing groups in her early young adult years. One could say what she was most passionate about was her love of people. Winnie never met a stranger and loved to communicate. You could count on her to call you at any moment, any day, at any time. She just wanted to make sure you were okay, or to celebrate a success with you, or to allow you to vent about something or another, or call “just because”. But her greatest accomplishment and passion in life was loving her children, her grandchildren, and acting as a surrogate mother for all who allowed her to. She just loved to love!
 

     Winifred entered into eternal rest on June 8, 2024, surrounded by her family. Winifred is preceded in death by her parents, Edward Sr. and Joyzelle, her brother Dwayne Eugene, her youngest daughter, Sherell Elaine Rashannette Dubois, and her niece, Terri Lynell King.
 

     Left to cherish her memories are her children: Monique (Troy) Hightower, Chauncia Tottenham, and D’Mitria Bell. In addition, she leaves behind five grandchildren: Jacorey Bell, Janell McCoy, Fredie McCoy, Umari Ellis, and Shyla Dubois; two grandchildren-in-love Takai Daughtry and Aniya Broussard; her siblings: Edward (Dolly) Bell, Jr., Phyllis Bobino, Jocelyn Bell, Kim (Deana) Bell, Matthew (Paulina) Bell, Michelle Thomas, and Alan Bell; two loving and devoted aunts, Vinnell (James) Brisco and, Elnora Johnson, devoted maternal cousins: Rose (Michael) Griggs and Carolyn Byrdlon; devoted paternal cousins: Helen Ward-Hamilton and Lois Horton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.