Bella Valliere Rayola, 96, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 under the care of Hospice Savannah.

Bella was born in Lawrence, CT, one of twelve children on October 17, 1911. When she was in her teenage years, she and three other girls came to Savannah by steamship. They stayed at the Oglethorpe Hotel on Wilmington Island and within the next several days attended a dance at the Knights of Columbus where she met a young man by the name of Louis Rayola. Mr. Rayola later became her husband and they operated Rayola Candy Co., Wholesale and Retail for 46 years together. During her years in the candy business she came to know many people in the Savannah area, especially children.

Mrs. Rayola is survived by her niece, Yvette Kelley of Bow, NH; nephew, Paul Valliere of Lawrence, CT and good friend, Richard Cowan of Savannah.

Visitation: 6:00-8:00 PM Monday at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Tuesday at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel with burial following at Bonaventure Cemetery.

Remembrances: Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.