Nyoka Bell

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Hazel Nyoka Bell on January 17, 2025, at the age of 80. Born to Robert P. Harris and Hazel V. Harris on March 11, 1944, Nyoka was raised in Overton, Texas and attended Overton High School, graduating in 1962. Nyoka was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

Nyoka married the love of her life, Harold Clifton Bell, on February 15, 1966. They made their home outside of Arp, raising their two children, Harold Keith and Laura Nyoka, on a small family farm. Loving and caring for her family was Nyoka’s top priority while she also spent many years as a caregiver for countless young children, including Blake Parker and Brittany Parker Cutler. Nothing gave Nyoka more joy than spending time with her grandchildren, Devon Leigh and Keifer Tye. After her great-grandson, Clifton John-Paul, was born in 2019 he instantly became the light of her life.

A lifetime fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Overton Mustangs, Nyoka loved watching football games and loved reading romance novels, particularly those written by Jodi Thomas. When she wasn’t working in her yard or tending to the cattle she insisted on keeping after her husband passed away, Nyoka enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and organizing photo albums.

Nyoka is preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her sister, Velma Vestal Spangler, her niece Vicki Smith, and her sisters-in-law Cindy Harris and Wanda Wiggins. She is survived by her son, Keith Bell and his partner Becky Walden; her daughter, Laura Bell; her granddaughter Devon Bell-Branum and husband Devin Branum; her grandson, Keifer Bell; and her great-grandson, Clifton Branum. She is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Spencer and brother-in-law Donny Spencer; her brother, Jimmy Dale Harris; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Nyoka’s memory to the American Lung Association, the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Foundation (Heart Care), the Alzheimer’s Association of Smith County, or the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the nurses of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital’s intensive care unit and the nurses of the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital respiratory unit (6th floor). The care, dignity, and respect shown to Nyoka (known to the nurses as “Ms. Hazel”) in her last days was outstanding.

Visitation for the family and friends of Hazel Nyoka Bell will be at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Funeral services for Hazel Nyoka Bell will be at 2:00 pm , on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton, Texas.

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