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Celebrating the life of
Doris Cone Bell
April 08, 1930 - June 26, 2022
Doris Cone Bell, age 92, passed away after a lengthy illness on June 26th, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.
She was born on April 8th, 1930 to the late Andrew Jackson Cone and Iva Lee Cook Cone in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from Savannah High School, Armstrong Junior College, and Florida State University earning degrees in Early Childhood Education and Education in Home and Family Life. She also earned Masters’ Degrees in Education and Curriculum Development. Mrs. Bell was a member of the now defunct Cokesbury United Methodist Church.
Doris met her first husband, Edgar Brown, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Edgar was killed in a car accident while he was in the strategic air command in the air force and stationed in England. After returning to Savannah, Doris’s first employment was with the Savannah Housing Authority working with early childhood development and education in the Nathaniel Green Housing Development. In 1962 Doris began teaching at Hancock Day School. On June 1st, 1963 Doris married William L. Bell who later became President of Hancock Day School. Doris Bell went to the University of Georgia for additional curriculum training, and took over the curriculum development at Hancock Day School to help with its accreditation and that of Hancock Academy. In 2004 the Bells retired and Handcock Day School was sold. William L. Bell passed away on August 9th, 2007. Mrs. Bell volunteered in many capacities at the present Hancock Day School as long as her health would allow.
Survivors are Nancy Barnett (Mike), Rebecca Cone Benton, Elizabeth Cone, Bob Cone (Jeff), William C. Joy (Dianne), Lois Cone Knotts, and Henry Cone (Anne).
Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. on July 16th, 2022 in the Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Home, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406 with Reverend Tom Dent officiating. Burial to follow at Hillcrest Abbey Cemetery East, 1600 Wheaton Street, Savannah, Georgia 31404.
Honorary Pallbearers are Doris’s Savannah High School Group, the “Knit Wits”, and their families; including, but not limited to Miriam Fulton; Doris’s close friends: Estela Anderson, Sandy Beasley, and Anita Varner; her doctor, Marianne M. Fleming, MD, teachers and staff of Hancock Day School in 2004 or earlier.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s /Candler Foundations, Heart & Lung Building, 5356 Reynolds Street, Suite 400, Savannah, Georgia 31405 or Pooler Paws Inc., 170 Kingfisher Circle, Pooler, Georgia 31322.
All the blessings Doris gave to our family members can not all be recounted in this brief session. She always knew what to say, or not say, to show her loving support and concern for each if us. We will treasure her memory and always cherish our time with her.
- Kim, Anthony, Walter & Matthew Reardon , Savannah, Ga
Mrs. Bell played a huge role in my education as well as my children. My mom taught at Hancock for 25 years. The friendship between my mom (Mrs. Hardee) and Mrs. Bell was undeniable. When my mom was sick, Mrs. Bell went to lengths helping take care of her 5th grade class and was continuously at the hospital. Her eloquent words and her graceful mannerism will surely be missed. She was truly the epitome of a southern lady.
- Nella Maxwell, Savannah, GA
Our hearts are truly saddened. Mrs. Doris Bell was truly an educator in every sense of the word. She encouraged the “roots to grow, wings to fly” philosophy. She knew every single child and their parents, by name. She and Bill Bell were a huge part of our girls school lives. Doris, you will be remembered.
- Chip and Teri Grayson, Savannah, GA
Mrs. Bell was such a light at Hancock. She was always helping and always smiling. She knew every one of us students there, year after year. She helped mold Hancock into the school that it is with the best academic program. I am so thankful for her and her dedication to the school. I am a proud Hancock Alumni, and my boys are proud Hancock students. Mrs. Bell, we continue to “mind our manners” and will forever remember your legacy at Hancock!
- Lauren (Grayson) Klein, Savannah, GA
Mrs. Bell was a treasure and an inspiration to so many. Both of our children attended Hancock Day School. Mrs. Bell not only believed in preparing students academically, but also to be good citizens. She loved every one of her students and they loved her! She knew every child and their parents by name, and was always willing to discuss anything that was of concern. She was a rare individual who possessed wisdom, courage, insight and love for Hancock and her teachers and students.
- Steve Lewis, Savannah, Georgia
To the family: “A kind, truly caring and genuine person who loved the Lord” truly describes your loved one. Mrs.Bell was a wonderful Sunday School teacher at Cokesbury and I greatly benefited in my own walk due to her kind influence. My sincere condolences are with you. Greg Cope
- Greg Cope, Palm Beach Gardens , Florida
Mrs. Bell was my third grade teacher, whom I will never forget! But more than that, she was such an encourager and understood that all children do not learn the same way. In this regard, she was light-years ahead of most of her peers. She was especially gifted in working with elementary-age children. I attended Hancock from Kindergarten through 12th grade, having graduated in the second and last graduating class in 1979, prior to the school returning to a lower-grades institution. We lost a great one! Mrs. Doris Bell will never be forgotten! My prayers and condolences are with the family at this time.
- Steve Moore, Savannah, GA
A candle has been lit!
- Therese Koncul Sheehan, Savannah, Ga
A candle has been lit!
- Corbell Family, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Funeral Service
- 10:00 a.m. on Sat, July 16, 2022
- Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
-
7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive (map)
Savannah GA 31406 - 912-352-7200