Ethel Bell

Mrs. Ethel Davis Bell, 89, made her transition on August 26, 2014, in Fayetteville, GA. She was a longtime resident of Terre Haute, IN. Ethel was a 1941 graduate of Dunbar High School, later renamed Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C. In 1945, she received her baccalaureate degree from Miner Teachers College. In 1955, Miner Teachers College merged with Wilson Teachers College, which became part of the University of the District of Columbia in 1977. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Ethel earned her master’s degree in nursing from Yale School of Nursing in 1948. Her mother was a graduate of Freedmen’s Hospital School of Nursing, which is now Howard University College of Nursing in Washington, D.C. Eventually, Ethel became the first nurse in Terre Haute, IN to hold two master’s degrees, her second being in media technology. Ethel was a faculty member at Indiana State University. She retired from ISU in 1992. On May 5, 1992, in recognition of long and distinguished service, ISU bestowed on her the honor of Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing. Ethel was a charter member of the Association of Black Nursing Faculty, Inc. She was a member of the Vigo County Public Library Board. As a nurse practitioner, her contributions to education and the community were immeasurable. Ethel was sharp-witted and laid-back. She was quiet, yet firm. A favorite pastime was reading science fiction novels. She enjoyed eating at restaurants. Ethel preferred being served, so cafeteria-style restaurants were out. She liked her food well-seasoned. You knew she was in agreement with you when she said, “Okeydokey.” Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Iverson C. Bell, Sr., an innovator in his field of veterinary medicine, in 1984; daughter, Allayne Shavers Bell in 2013; parents, Dolly Walker Davis and Ernest J. Davis, Sr., a graduate of Howard University and an attorney: brother, Col. (Ret.) Ernest J. Davis, Jr.,, USAF, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and a Tuskegee Airman ; and sister, Dolly D. Hoover, a pioneer in her field of library science. Ethel is survived by her children, Iverson C. (Chandra) Bell, Jr., M.D. of Memphis, TN, Clayton E. (Blanche) Bell, D.C. of Fayetteville, GA and Susan B. (Alan) Rosin of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Lauren B. (Eric) Trabert, Yeshuah Bell, Iverson Bell III, Maitreyah Bell, Eryn Satcher and Clayton Bell II; great-grandchildren, Audrey Trabert and Amaru Bell; and a dear friend, Lee Bailey. In her final days, Ethel received what she wanted most – to be surrounded by her beloved progeny. Her life was one of service. In honor of her memory, those who loved and cared about her should make every effort to emulate that service. A special thanks to the staff at Doctor’s Hospice of Georgia, Inc. in Fayetteville, GA for their help and support. A private service will be held in October.