Jewell Bell

Jewell Bell was the oldest of nine children, born July 23, 1932, in Parma, Mo., to the late Lester Marion and Rachel Cardella Barton Stephens. She died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at the age of 81.

She was the granddaughter of the late James Pendleton and Sarah Jane Shaw Barton and Henry Lee and Alpha Adeline Gwaltney Stephens. On Jan. 29, 1949, she married Steve Vernon Bell in Piggott, Ark., who survives of the home.

Mrs. Bell was a member of the Risen Church in Dexter, Mo., and she attended Risco schools. A longtime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority since 1967, she reached the eligibility of Torch Bearer degree, receiving both the Silver and Golden Circle honors.

Jewell loved to travel, and she traveled extensively around the world. As a member of the Missouri Delta Unit Airstream Club, she traveled throughout the United States. She and her husband, Steve, were pioneers in the development of the cable television industry. Above all, Jewell loved her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Steve, she leaves to cherish her memory: a son, Steve Vernon Bell II and wife Janet of Dexter; three daughters, Janet Lynn Heuring of Dexter, Linda Gaye Cooper and husband Barry of Dexter and Margaret Jo Ellen Bell and companion Dale Brame of Van Buren, Mo.; four brothers, Jerry Stephens of Clearwater, Fla., Gary Stephens and wife Dian of Bowling Green, Ky., J.R. Stephens and wife Dorothy of Malden, Mo., and Lindel Stephens and wife Suzette of Parma; three sisters, Betty Bernice Williams and husband Bill of Wildwood, Mo., Wanda Stephens of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Hazel Floyd of Shell Knob, Mo.; a sister-in-law, Loy Stephens of Bethalto, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Eric Heuring and wife Emily, Lori Bishop and husband Kevin, Brandi Juden and husband Andrew, Brandon Church and wife Cheyenne, Kristina Bell, Julianna Bell and Dylan Acevedo; seven great-grandchildren, Anna, Lydia, Luke, Charles Avery, Brittany, Aiden and Jacey; one great-great grandchild, Caiden; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one grandson, Christopher Gerald Heuring; one brother, Homer Darrel Stephens; one brother-in-law, Jim Floyd; and one sister-in-law, Gwen Stephens.

Visitation will take place from noon to 3 p.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. today at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Joshua Carpenter officiating. Interment will be in the Dexter Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Eric Heuring, Brandon Church, Kevin Bishop, Dylan Acevedo, Cody Branch and Jon Rust.