Lois L. Bell

is honored with a Medium Paver from Ralph W. Bell.

My beautiful mother, Lois Lawanna Bell. To others, you might have known her as Lawanna Orange.

It's hard to find a place to start when it comes to telling about all of the wonderful things my mother did, because she could do everything! She knew bookkeeping to an art, could cook meals with the best of them, and could take an old garment and make it look new. I remember many times when people would come to my mom if something needed mended or altered.

My mother had the most beautiful handwriting, as well. That really isn't too surprising since she was such a beautiful person. You've never seen my mother without a smile on her face. Her smile fit right in with her sense of humor. Even after all her painful cancer treatments, my mother managed never to complain. She didn't want people to worry.

My mother was truly an angel here on earth. My mother was always there for anyone that needed her. She would visit my grandma three times a week at the care home. My grandmother wouldn't allow anyone but my mom to braid her hair because nobody could do it like my mother could. Before my Aunt JoAnn died, my mother was always there to help take care of her, too!

Besides being very outgoing, Lois was a very loving and caring wife. I'd never seen them argue or fight. My father told me that whenever they would become upset with each other, they would hold hands. How can you fight with someone if you're holding each other's hand? I have relatives all over the United States, and whenever they would pass through Wichita, they would always stop by to see their cousin, aunt, grandmother, or niece, Lawanna. My husband, Shawn, said my mother was the "Red Cross" of the Bell and Orange family. Which is so true.

Lois Bell had worked at the Wichita Stockyards as a secretary and bookkeeper. She joined the Stockyards Credit Union, and it wasn't long before she was appointed as a supervisor. She was re-elected year after year. After the credit union merged several times, thus becoming the St. Joseph Community Credit Union, my mom still maintained the supervisor position.

Lois Lawanna Bell lost her battle with liver cancer October 16, 1996. She was 64 years old. To all of you that knew Lois, we're sure you feel the loss that we as her family feel. We love you, Lois!

Submitted by Ralph; Teri, Cyndi, and Sandra; Tahirah, Rachel, Lacy, and Kelsey

September 15, 1998