AMERICUS — Miss Eleanor Bell, 97, passed away peacefully on Nov. 21, 201, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Sumter in Americus, Ga. Funeral services will be held graveside at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov.  23, 2015, at Shiloh Baptist Church in Americus, Ga. The Rev. Bill Dupree and the Rev. Stan Littleton will officiate. The family received friends and family from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in the chapel at Aldridge Funeral Services, and at other times at 681 Lasco Harvey Road, Americus, Ga.
Miss Bell was born on Dec. 3, 1917, in Moultrie, Ga., to William McElroy Bell and Camilla Johnston Bell. She moved with her family in 1922, to Americus, Ga. She started school at Shiloh at the age of seven and completed first and second grades in one year. She transferred to Anthony School to complete the 11th grade where she graduated as the class valedictorian. Her college education began at Georgia Southwestern College which was at that time a “Normal” school to prepare teachers. After graduation her first teaching position was in Ila, Ga. She then returned home to teach at Shiloh from 1938 to 1948. She obtained her bachelor of arts  degree in 1941, from Oglethorpe University and her masters in 1943. In 1948 she began teaching high school in Fort Valley and taught there for 52 years until her retirement in June  2000. Miss Bell taught a variety of mathematics courses over her 62 and one-half years in education. She was the head of the Mathematics Department at Peach County High for a number of years and was selected as the STAR teacher approximately 15 times. She was a professional who embraced high standards and expectations. Miss Bell not only taught in the public school system, but also continued her teaching talents at church. She joined Concord Methodist Church in 1949, and taught Sunday School off and on for approximately 40 years. Her hobbies included reading, doing crossword puzzles, listening to audio tapes and working with and growing flowers and other various plants. She always received great pleasure from hearing from her former students.
Miss Bell is survived by her nephews, Larry Stubbs and his wife Rhonda of Americus, Ga., and Billy Stubbs and his wife Elaine of Americus, Ga.; three great-nephews, Michael Stubbs and his wife Jenny, Thomas Stubbs and his wife Jennifer, and Bob Stubbs; and great-niece Julie Stubbs Bonner and her husband Gordy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Concord Methodist Church, 1996 Ga. Highway 30 West, Americus GA 31709.  Aldridge Funeral Services, 612 Rees Park, Americus, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book and express your condolences to the family go www.aldridgefuneralservices.com