Laura J. Bell

Laura J. Bell, age 73 of 1485 Leverette Rd. Warner Robins, GA passed Saturday, April 28, 2018 at her residence. 

Laura Jean Johnson Bell was born on September 4, 1944 to the late Webster Lee Johnson and Addie Blanche McGuire Johnson in Covington, Tennessee.

After completing high school, she attended Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State University (Tennessee State University) in Nashville, Tennessee where she met David Connelly Bell, Jr. while he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  The two united in holy matrimony in early January of 1967 and welcomed their first child, Monie LaShawne Bell later that year.  Laura chose to put her career on hold to be a fulltime mother and travel throughout the world with her husband and family.

After a short stint overseas (Germany), the family was reassigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where they welcomed their eldest son, Artis Connelly Bell in 1970.  As with any military family, they traveled abroad numerous times.  Once again fate brought them back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

David retired from the Army and the family settled in Harnett County, North Carolina.  Two sons followed, Damasi and Kangata Bell between the years of 1978-1980. 

A devoted mother, she waited until her children were of school age to return to her profession (education).  God saw fit to bless her with another son, Ishmal Bell in 1986.   Laura continued to work in education for an additional 19 years before deciding to retire from the Harnett County School System in 2007. 

Laura was a member of Norrington AME Zion Church in Lillington, NC where she served faithfully as the Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School, a Home Mission Worker and a Full Fledged Missionary. 

On Saturday, April 28, 2018, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called her home from labor to reward.  She is survived by her five children, two daughter-in-laws, Diana Elizabeth (Kangata), Andrica Marie (Ishmal) and five granddaughters, Autumn Eve, Atiyana Charlise, Layla Nicole Jean, Ariella Sulola, and Gabriella Nadia.  Two grandsons, Kadin Amir and Gabriel Joseph.  She also leaves behind a brother, James Lee Johnson (Eva Nell) of Chicago, and a sister, Eva Doria, of Covington, Tennessee and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford