Joyce Bell Thompson

Published 4:28 pm Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Joyce Bell Thompson was born September 10, 1927 in Somerville, Texas and passed on from this life on December 13, 2019.

The services will be held: Friday, December 20, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 920 Booker T. Washington Ave., Port Arthur, Texas 77640.

The Rosary begins at 10:30 a.m., the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 3700 25th St, Port Arthur, TX 77642.

Flowers and Cards may be sent to: Gabriel Funeral Home, 2500 Procter St., Port Arthur, Texas 77640.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial donation to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Joyce was the only child of Annie Mae Anderson and Charles Thomas Wilson.

After finishing high school in San Antonio, Texas at St. Peter Claver Academy her education was continued at Prairie View A & M College, now known as Prairie View University.

While working on campus the summer after graduation she was hired in Port Arthur, Texas as an elementary teacher under the guidance of George W. Lacey and lived with his lovely and kind wife Willie Mae Lacey until she could find a place of lodging.

Mr. & Ms. Lacey introduced her to her first husband, Walter Louis Bell, M.D. They were married June 26, 1950 for 34 years and raised four children with love and understanding.

They are Rochelle Denise Bell Day (Samuel) St. Louis, MO; Walterine Joyce Bell August (Clarence) Port Arthur, TX; Charles Emerson Bell, M.D. Austin, TX; and David Louis Bell, M.D. (Julia) New York, NY.

She is also survived by a special nephew, James E. Bell, Jr. (Jenny), a niece, Rhonda L. Bell, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Joyce was fortunate enough to meet another wonderful companion, Bernard Thompson of Houston, Texas.

They were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on September 8, 1988.

Bernard had five lovely children to whom he was deeply devoted along with wonderful brothers and sisters.