of Hot Springs, AR
February 20, 1919 - September 7, 2019
Mildred Rector Bell, 100, went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2019. Mildred was born February 20, 1919 to Dr. Claudius E. Rector, Sr. and Minnie Newton Rector.
Mildred graduated from Central College for Women in Conway Arkansas and Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Arkansas. She taught school and retired in 1980. She then moved to Texarkana, Texas where she went back to teaching as a substitute teacher for Pleasant Grove School Systems because of her love for students. She went on to teaching English as a second language to inmates that were incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Texas. She enjoyed the greatest challenge of her career there. Teaching English as a second language in order to prepare them to be able to be lawful and disciplined upon release.
Mildred was a member of First United Methodist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Centennial Chapter in Little Rock, Arkansas, and as well as the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Left behind to cherish her memory is her son, Borden E. Bell, Jr. (Patsy); a daughter, Deborah Bell Vlasis (Bob); granddaughters, Melisa Bell Soignier of Shreveport, Louisiana, Catherine Bell McBride of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Nicole Vlasis Aclin of Little Rock, Arkansas; a grandson, Robert Tony Vlasis III of Washington, D.C.; great-grandchildren, Beckett Allen Soignier of Shreveport, Louisiana, William Borden Soignier of Shreveport, Louisiana, William Scott Aclin, Jr. of Little Rock, Arkansas, Benjamin Robert Aclin of Little Rock, Arkansas, Griffin Marshall McBride of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Madison Catherine McBride of Arlington Heights, Illinois; a brother, Charles Newton Rector of Dumas, Arkansas; as well as a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Borden E. Bell, Sr.; a sister, Faye Rector Canada; two brothers, Claude Rector and Robert Lee Rector.
Visitation will be held at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Arkansas on September 14, 2019 at 3:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Crittenden Memorial Cemetery in Marion, Arkansas on September 14, 2019 at 4:30 PM with Roller-Citizens Funeral Home officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested a donation in Mildred Rector Bell's name to be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 E. 6th, Texarkana, Arkansas 71854.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the excellent care of Hospice Arkansas, 5th floor, CHI Saint Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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9 Condolence(s)
Lee Chappel
Sunday, September 15, 2019
My prayers for comfort to the family .. we have lost a treasure but her legacy will live on thru all she inspired !!!
Becky Rector Harrington
Saturday, September 14, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Aunt Mildred loved family and life. She was truly one of a kind! She will be missed.
Nancykaye Todd
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Mrs. Bell was my 3rd grade teacher. On talent day, she always wanted me to sing "BLUE MOON" and It would always make her cry like a baby! I remember singing it to this day! I am 67 years old now! Goodness how time flies! It looks like she really enjoyed her life! God bless.
Becky Tompkins (Glenwood Pharmacy)
Friday, September 13, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Baker McClanahan
Friday, September 13, 2019
I send my condolences to Ms. Bell’s family. She was my sixth grade teacher at Richland (I was in her last class there, and my mom succeeded her). I have a special appreciation for school teachers, being the son of one and husband of another. Although I am fortunate to have had many great teachers who helped mold me into the person I am today, perhaps none (Mom excepted) shaped me as much as Ms. Bell did. My memory generally is terrible, but I easily can recall any number of stories from her class, from her reading Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller; drilling us in fractions; having us memorize Frost (The Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening); letting us go out to the parking lot to see her new Cadillac; having an unruly boy stand in front of the class and repeat, over and over, “I will straighten up and fly right; I will straighten up and fly right”; and managing the drama when the girls in class tried to prohibit the boys from reading Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret! I even learned about dinner rings and tennis bracelets from her! She challenged us by expecting more than we expected from ourselves. And while she could be old-school strict, she also could be kind, understanding, and forgiving. Ms. Bell, I loved you and will never forget you.
Don Mc Donald
Friday, September 13, 2019
Mrs Bell was a Beautiful , Wonderful Lady. She touched so many lives. Inspired so many people from all over the world.Loved family and made them feel good about themselves. She leaves a legacy that will not be repeated.Wonderful memories of her, another Mother for me. I will always cherish and Love her. She made everyone feel Special! Great Lady!
Candi Curtis
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Rod Williams
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Prayers for the entire family. Gran loved everyone and treated everyone the same. She always wanted the best for us all. Her legacy will live on forever!!
Emorylee Reeder Lewis
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
In Symphony,