Nannie Rebecca Bell

Nannie Rebecca Bell, 89, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed on peacefully, as she wanted, in her home, on Sunday, January 5, 2014. She was born October 28, 1924, in Washington, a daughter of Glenn and Goldie Noble Smith. An amazing cook, Nannie made that her life’s work. She cooked in numerous restaurants and clubs, including Club 40, the Elks, Sweet Williams in Bridgeville, and American Legion Post 175 in Washington, where she was known for delicious pies and dinners. Nannie liked crafts, sewing and crocheting as well as traveling and playing bingo. Pleasant with a positive attitude, she never met a stranger and was always making new friends and doing for others. She loved doing things for her family and spending time with them especially at the yearly summer family get-togethers. Nannie always had to have a special cat around to spoil and keep her company. Nannie attended schools in Washington, and, like others at the time, after completing eighth grade, she went to work at Hazel Atlas #2 in order to help her family. Nannie belonged to Senior Life in Washington. She enjoyed going there to see all of her friends as well as the staff who took good care of her. She was a devoted 24-year member of American Legion 175 Auxiliary, where she held the office of second vice president for several years and also was in charge of planning parties and dinners. Nannie was married at to Paul Kenneth Wilson, who died at a young age in 1956, leaving her to raise three young children, Pauline “Polly” (husband Marty) Williams, Kathleen “Kathy” (husband Gaylord “Shorty”) Toland and Paul K. Wilson (friend Marge Marasco). He second husband, John Moon, is also deceased. They had a daughter, Karen (husband Steve) McDonnell of Troy, Illinois. Robert Bell, Nannie’s third husband, is also deceased. She was a loving grandmother “Mam-Mam” to Don Chess (Linda Dunkle) of Washington, Dana Chess-McCord of Taylorstown; Jason (Tammy) Toland of West Alexander, Darren (Andrea) Toland of Prosperity, Charra Wilson of Washington, Jim (Michele) Wilson of Prosperity, Shelby (Rob) Hall of Illinois, and Frank (Lena) McDonnell of Illinois. Nannie had 13 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Also surviving are her sisters, May Brock of Washington, Marylou Whipkey of Washington and Dorothy (Ray) Crowe of Waynesburg; and many special nieces and nephews whom she loved and enjoyed visiting. Deceased are a daughter, Joyce, and five brothers. Nannie will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. Friends will be received on Friday, January 10th, from Noon to 4 p.m., the time of service, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Debbie Williams, president of the Auxiliary of American Legion 175, officiating. Private burial will be held in Pigeon Creek Cemetery at a later date.