Phyllis Jean (Rowley) Bell, 88, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away on August 8, 2024, at her home.
Phyllis was born on October 8, 1935, to Ralph and Dorothy (Ewing) Rowley in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from Waite High School in 1953, she started her first job at Toledo Trust as a teller. She was an avid pianist, played organ, and directed the youth choir at her family’s church.
Phyllis married Gerald Bell in 1958 while he was in seminary, and she devoted herself to being a pastor’s wife. They worked together at several churches in western Ohio during their early years of marriage. In 1967, they were blessed to begin welcoming children into their family. Their career continued through central and eastern Ohio until they retired in 1997.
Phyllis was an exceptional mother, who spent much of her time raising children and, as they grew older, supporting them as they grew in the community. She could often be found in the church office assisting her husband or helping with the marching band, show choir, football team, Junior Achievement society, or any other activities in which her children were involved. Music was always central to her life, and she spent many hours playing piano for family singalongs. When her children were older, she returned to work in banking, making friends with everyone she met.
Phyllis was always available to help anyone in need. She nursed many family members through difficult illnesses and helped to raise both her grandsons. She worked hard all her life to make the world a better place, both for those she loved as well as the
community and world as a whole. She brought love and compassion everywhere she went. While she was mostly a quiet person, she developed quite the reputation for one-liners, and she lent humor to many situations with her quick and clever wit.
Phyllis was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Dorothy Rowley, her two brothers Wallace and Raymond Rowley, and her son Michael Scott Bell in 1986. She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Gerald Bell of Columbus, loving daughter Janet(Michael) Peterson, grandsons David and Joshua Norris and great-granddaughter Isabelle Norris, all of Westerville.
While no service will be held immediately, a celebration of life service is being planned for late September with details to be provided in the near future.
Phyllis will be laid to rest at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Toledo, beside her parents and cherished son.
The Dowds Snyder Funeral Home is handling the services for the Bell family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To express a condolence to the family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Dowds Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com