Leila M Bell

Mrs. Leila Mae Bell transitioned from rest to reward on July 23, 2023. She was born on August 18, 1927 in Heardmont, Georgia (Elbert County) to the late John Carlton Sr. and Sarah Frances McCalla.

She was the fifth of six children. She was preceded in death by her parents and her five siblings: John Henry McCalla, John Carlton (J.C.) McCalla Jr., Addie Mae Smith Cue, Janie Lee Smith Bone and Sara Frances Bell. 

She accepted Christ at an early age and  joined Bethel Grove Baptist Church where she was active in her church and community. Mrs. Bell was a graduate of Elbert County Colored High School where she was an excellent student and an outstanding basketball player. After graduation, she attended Tuskegee Institute then returned to Elberton where she worked and entered into a serious courtship with the love of her life, Pilote Bell Jr. They later married, started their family and moved to Philadelphia for better opportunities.

She worked for and retired from Robert Bruce Manfacturing Company where she was recognized as an outstanding employer and served as ILGWU Labor Union Shop Steward.

Her hobbies were sewing, reupholstering furniture,shopping, gardening, watching game shows and most of all watching the Philadelphia 76er's and the Philadelphia Eagles. Traveling south to visit the family was an exciting adventure for her and her family. She would gravitate to her sister Sara's house who married Pilote's brother Willie. The Bell boys loved those McCalla girls. They would fellowship at the table and enjoy delicious meals which included a good breakfast of her sister's homemade biscuits, country ham and red eye gravy.

Mrs. Bell was married for 59 wonderful years to the late Pilote Bell Jr. She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy, her two sons: Sherald Bell, Edwin Mitchell Bell (Ramona); two grandchildren: Kelila Bell (Chris) and Kevin Bell; one great-grandchild; My'Liah Judge-Bell and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends. 

Sorrowfully Submitted, The Bell Family

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