Virginia Ann Brooks Bell

Virginia Bell, 79, passed away with her children by her side June 18, 2010. She was born May 21, 1931 in Ronan.

She is survived by her four children: Jack and Julie Bell of Columbia Falls; Sharon Lukens of Forney, Texas; Vivian Spencer of Terrace, British Columbia; and Ken and Barb Bell of Grants, Ore.; 11 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack L. Bell; two son-in-laws, Richard Lukens and Dan Spencer; her parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Virginia "worked hard," as she would say, for many years of her life. She worked on the farm growing up and later she cooked in logging camps and restaurants as well as working alongside her husband in cedar mills across Montana, Idaho and Canada.

Virginia was the happiest when she could do something for those around her, whether immediate family, her church family or her neighbors. She sought to serve others in the name of the Lord.

She loved to garden and definitely had a green thumb. Over the years many enjoyed the fruit of her labor as she cooked, canned and shared the bounty of her gardens.

In her later years her flower garden continued to bring her much pleasure, especially as those who passed by her window stopped for a moment to enjoy and comment on the beauty they saw.

A memorial service joyfully celebrating her life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday June 26 at Columbia Falls Assembly of God Church.