Joyce Wadkins Curenton Bell
July 28, 1931 — February 11, 2017
Joyce Wadkins Curenton Bell, age 85, of Harrison, Arkansas, departed this life on Saturday, February 11, 2017, surrounded by her husband, daughters and other loved ones.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 18th at Calvary Baptist Church, 7556 Old Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909, with Lead Pastor Jeff Struecker and Pastor Emeritus Don Wilhite officiating. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. The family will have a private burial service.
Joyce was born on July 28, 1931, in Vienna, GA, and was the daughter of Hazel Leticia Ganas and William Jessie Earl Wadkins. Joyce's mother died when she was four years old, leaving Joyce with no memory of her; however, she had wonderful grandparents, aunts and uncles who dedicated themselves to enriching her young life, as she divided her childhood between the school year in Columbus and summers in Vienna. Joyce was very fortunate her father met and married a wonderful, kind and generous Christian woman, Jewel Saint, who raised her as her own, and who eventually gave her two incredible brothers.
Joyce attended Perry Business College, she worked in the Columbus Mill, and she spent many, many years working alongside the father of her children in the real estate business. Eventually, she retired after 20 years of service as a Claims Administrator, in the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG), Ft. Benning, GA. Even after retirement, Joyce continued to work locally at Yellville Tire and Auto, assisting Tim Nemeth run his business. She was a member of Peel Full Gospel Church, Peel, AR.
In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Jessie Earl Lee "Bubby" Wadkins; her stepmother, Jewel Saint Wadkins; a granddaughter, Melissa Karol Smith; and her son-in-law, Virgil Frank Petty.
Left to celebrate Joyce's life are her husband of 26 years: Greg Bell, of Yellville, AR; her daughters: Sue Petty of Columbus, GA, Kay Mason and her husband Leonard of Columbus, GA, Sharon Cook and her husband Marc, of Midland, GA; her son: Jeffery Bell and his wife Kywanna of Smiths, AL; her brothers: Earl Hayden Wadkins and wife Becky of Columbus, GA and Gary Bobby Wadkins of Katy, TX. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren, an aunt, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and most loyal friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce's honor to the Peel Full Gospel Christian Academy, 5411 Marion County 2059, Peel, AR 72668-8977.
7556 Old Moon Rd.
Columbus, GA, 31909
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, February 18th at Calvary Baptist Church, 7556 Old Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909, with Lead Pastor Jeff Struecker and Pastor Emeritus Don Wilhite officiating. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. The family will have a private burial service.
Joyce was born on July 28, 1931, in Vienna, GA, and was the daughter of Hazel Leticia Ganas and William Jessie Earl Wadkins. Joyce's mother died when she was four years old, leaving Joyce with no memory of her; however, she had wonderful grandparents, aunts and uncles who dedicated themselves to enriching her young life, as she divided her childhood between the school year in Columbus and summers in Vienna. Joyce was very fortunate her father met and married a wonderful, kind and generous Christian woman, Jewel Saint, who raised her as her own, and who eventually gave her two incredible brothers.
Joyce attended Perry Business College, she worked in the Columbus Mill, and she spent many, many years working alongside the father of her children in the real estate business. Eventually, she retired after 20 years of service as a Claims Administrator, in the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG), Ft. Benning, GA. Even after retirement, Joyce continued to work locally at Yellville Tire and Auto, assisting Tim Nemeth run his business. She was a member of Peel Full Gospel Church, Peel, AR.
In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Jessie Earl Lee "Bubby" Wadkins; her stepmother, Jewel Saint Wadkins; a granddaughter, Melissa Karol Smith; and her son-in-law, Virgil Frank Petty.
Left to celebrate Joyce's life are her husband of 26 years: Greg Bell, of Yellville, AR; her daughters: Sue Petty of Columbus, GA, Kay Mason and her husband Leonard of Columbus, GA, Sharon Cook and her husband Marc, of Midland, GA; her son: Jeffery Bell and his wife Kywanna of Smiths, AL; her brothers: Earl Hayden Wadkins and wife Becky of Columbus, GA and Gary Bobby Wadkins of Katy, TX. She is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren, an aunt, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and most loyal friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce's honor to the Peel Full Gospel Christian Academy, 5411 Marion County 2059, Peel, AR 72668-8977.
Funeral Service
FEB 18. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)
Calvary Baptist Church7556 Old Moon Rd.
Columbus, GA, 31909
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