Mary Frances Bell

January 11, 1924 — June 12, 2016

Obituary of

Mary Frances [Lewis][Tipton] Bell

TERRE HAUTE Mary Frances Bell, 92, escaped the boundaries of her earthly life on June 12th from Davis Gardens of Westminster Village. Born January 11, 1924, to William E. Lewis and Irene Stark Lewis, she was a life-long resident of Terre Haute and active in the community. Mary Frances graduated from Wiley High School and Indiana State University and taught fifth and sixth grades in the Vigo County School Corporation before becoming the first system-wide elementary counselor for the remainder of her twenty-eight years of service. A lifetime member of Terre Haute First Baptist Church and the Kum Dubble Class, she served her church in multiple capacities throughout the years. She was married to John W. Tipton then Ivan D. Bell both preceding her in death as did her parents. Mary Frances is survived by her sister, Sally Dodgson (Ken), of Rochester, New York, her four children, J. David Tipton (Rita) of Gadsden, Alabama, Mary Jane Larrison (Roger) of Elwood, Indiana, Paul E. Tipton (Irene) of Goodyear, Arizona, and Elizabeth A. Moffett (Mike), of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, nine grandchildren, Michelle Pierce (Jason), Cheryl Ervin, Greg Mengelt (Susie), Michael Mengelt, John Mengelt, Emily Dean (David), Ben Tipton (Maribel), Amanda Moffett, Tim Moffett (Emily), fourteen great grandchildren and three nieces. Mary Frances served on the Boards of the Mental Health Association, the Vigo County Retired Teachers Association, the Indiana Teachers Association, and the National Education Association, and was active as a member of Altrusa International Club of Terre Haute, and Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Teachers Sorority. An avid reader, she loved playing bridge, cribbage, and all sorts of family games, especially piffle. She was an accomplished crossword puzzler. Visitation will be held at Terre Haute First Baptist Church, 4701 Poplar Street on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 2:00 4:00 p.m. with services to follow at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Terre Haute First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund or your charity of choice in her honor. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan Hughes Funeral Home, 605 S. 25th Street.

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Mary Frances Bell

January 11, 1924 — June 12, 2016

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