Margaret Wainright Bell, 84, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Sunnyside Cemetery in Scotland Neck. Father Bill Long will be presiding.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2014 at Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck.
Margaret was born on June 3, 1930 in Farmville, NC. Her parents were Oscar Wainright and Pearl Norman Wainright. Margaret married Madry Samuel Bell, Jr. and moved to Scotland Neck in 1955 where she and “Red” Bell started their family. She is a hero to her children who see her as a model of a determined and caring single mother who found a way to make a home and living when the comfortable circumstances of life suddenly changed.
After the passing of her husband in 1971, she opened her home and began a career in childcare that lasted four decades. The number of children that were cared for in her home is substantial and it is said by many children that her fish sticks with macaroni and cheese lunches were the best they had ever eaten. It should be noted that her longevity was such that children she cared for early on in her career sought her out when they needed care for their own children. She only recently retired from this endeavor.
Margaret enjoyed life. She had a wonderful laugh that came easily from her. She was optimistic, sharp of mind, spry, and above all, resilient. She didn’t let the infirmities of age interfere with her life. She loved to play bridge with friends, participated in the Red Hat Society, and traveled as far as Australia. She attended the Catholic Church in Scotland Neck for decades.
She is survived by her daughters, Theresa Ann Bell and husband Mike Scott of Roanoke, VA and Mary Margaret Braddy and husband Rusty of Hobgood; her sons, Madry Samuel Bell, III and Michael Eugene Beaman both of Scotland Neck; her sister, Sallie Cauley of Kinston; three grandchildren, Kyle Braddy of Hobgood, Sammy Braddy and wife Shelly of Hobgood, and Sam Bell of Greensboro; one great-grandson, Samuel Grey Braddy; and many nieces and nephews.
She also remained very close to her husband’s family, especially Jimmy and Naomi Bell of Jacksonville , FL and Mrs. Teal Borum of Hagerstown, MD.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 605, Ahoskie, NC 27910.
Arrangements are being handled by Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck.