Willene Marie Bell

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Published on Tuesday, 06 September 2011 13:28

Willene Marie Bell was born September 17, 1906 in Evening Shade, Arkansas to Prussia and William S. Hare.  She passed away September 3, 2011 at Sayre, Oklahoma at the age of 104 years, 11 months and 16 days.

Willene moved with her parents to Sayre in 1909 at the age of 3 and later to Turkey Creek west of Sayre. 

She began working at the first Snells United Grocery Store in 1916 sacking potoatoes.  Her secret to a long life was always working. 

She graduated from Hext School and was married to Marvin Steven Bell at Sayre, Oklahoma on October 3, 1925.  After their marriage they lived in Erick, Oklahoma City, Carnegie and Sayre while Marvin worked for Anderson Artic Ice Company.  In 1946 they began operating the Rainbow Café until they sold it in 1950.  In 1953 they bought the City Cafeteria and later bought their original café back and renamed it Bell Café.  In 1970 they sold the café and retired.  She was honored with commendations on her 100th birthday by the State of Oklahoma and President George W. Bush.

She was a member of the Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters, Agnes Craig, Nell Trent and Jessie Jarvis.

She is survived by her one daughter,  Marlene Breeze, Sayre, OK; one son and daughter-in-law,  Joe and DeAnne Bell, Elk City, OK; four granddaughters,  Dana Kroutil and husband, Rod, Edmond, OK;  Jerri Headrick and husband, Alan, Sayre, OK;  Kristin Shelby and husband, Trent, Hollis, OK; Kasie Noble and husband, Doug, Georgetown, TX; eight great grandchildren,  Curtis and Clayton Headrick,  Kynadi, Crosbi, Hadli and Brody Shelby, Naomi and Nora Noble; two nieces,  Jill McDaniel and husband, Jim, Pampa, TX; Mary Sue Furkus, Bend, OR; and many friends.

The family will be available during visitation to greet friends on Wednesday evening, September 7th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Services will be held Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Sayre First Baptist Church, officiated by Brother Gary Baird.   Burial will be at Sayre-Doxey Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com. 

As a 19 year breast cancer survivor, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, or the Sayre Shortgrass Museum.