Sylvia Marie Bell's Obituary
Sylvia Marie (Green) Bell, age 89, walked on December 8, 2019, due to heart disease, at her University Village home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Sylvia was born in Miami, Oklahoma on May 26, 1930, to Lewis Tillman Green and Adielene Sylvia (Slavin) Green. She was delivered at home by her paternal great, great, grandmother Idabelle Mercer, a midwife. When she was age nine, in August 1939, her father died at the age of 33 of tuberculosis. Her mother remained a widow, living in Miami until her death in September, 2008 at the age of 97.Sylvia was Potawatomi Native American and a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her maternal great, great grandparents were Nah nim skuk and O ke wich. Her tribal ancestors originated in the Great Lakes region before being removed to Indiana, Kansas, and finally Oklahoma Indian Territory.In 1948, shortly after graduating high school, Sylvia left a note for her mother saying she was leaving Miami by bus to find employment in Tulsa. She soon began working at Brown-Dunkin Department store in downtown Tulsa. A co-worker introduced to her friend, John Bell, who had recently returned from serving in WW11 and the Korean War.John Nelson Bell and Sylvia were married on May 1, 1953 and remained so until his death on May 8, 1999. Four children were born of that union, Susan, John, Cathy and Joseph. In 1968 when Joe started school she began working at Seismograph until her retirement, 25 years later, in 1933.Sylvia loved her family, sunshine, travel, and football. She enjoyed years of trips to the cabin at Hanging Rock Camp on the Illinois River. She preferred the clear shallow water which was easier to keep track of four chiuldren. Cleverly, she discovered in addition to swimming and fishing, the kids were entertained by encouraging them to find river rocks with holes. Those “holy rocks” were later strung and hung on the cabin. Family Mexico trips plus annual bus trips with her mom, Aunt Jessie, and sister Dot were also enjoyed.Later, at University Village, Sylvia would read and enjoy the sun by the courtyard fountain. Many times she contemplated how to put an air mattress in the fountain on those especially hot Oklahoma days.Sylvia was an avid reader. She was a Sooner football fan and loved the Bedlam games when, according to her, the Sooners played the “Cowgirls”. Her favorite NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys. Super Bowl gatherings were always fun especially the time when she watched the games from sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.Sylvia was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother to her children, Susy Christmas, John Bell (Chris), Cathy Rhodes (Bobby) and Joseph Bell (Gaynell); grandchildren, Eric Christmas, Natalie Christmas, Tad Bell, Madeleine Bell, Miranda Hall and Candice Field.Two sister-in-laws, Jean Frizzell and Dorothy Green, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents, husband John, sisters Dottie Bailey, Phyllis Jo Green, Jessie Green, and recently her only brother Thomas Green.Special thanks to all of her friends at University Village, the wonderful staff who dedicated time and care and added their personal touch to everything they did for Sylvia.Sylvia’s smile, charisma, and quick wit will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 14, 2019 at University Village Retirement Community Theater Room
What’s your fondest memory of Sylvia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sylvia?
Share a story where Sylvia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sylvia you’ll never forget.
How did Sylvia make you smile?