Mother Ida Van Colie Cooper Bell was born October 6, 1918 in Washington County North Carolina to the late Aaron and Luetha Cooper. She was the oldest of thirteen children. Colie, known by most, peacefully departed this life on Sunday September 6, 2015 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. The family sorrowfully recognizes her death but joyfully reflect on her life as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.

Colie attended public school in Washington County and later attended Elizabeth City Teachers College which is known as Elizabeth City State University. She taught for many years in the Washington County Public School System.

At an early age, Colie joined Spring Green Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ). Her love for the church was expressed by her faithful attendance and support. For many years, she served as a teacher for Vacation Bible School, Chairman of the Easter program and collector of the Building Fund. Mother Colie was proud of the elevation as a Mother of the church. She was the president of the Grade Mother's Club and sponsored many trips. Colie was a woman with great respect and a lot of wisdom. She was also a great cook and everyone including family and friends loved to eat at her house. She was also the neighborhood candy and snack lady. Colie loved fishing and sitting on her porch doing word search.

Colie met the love of her life Deacon Walter Bell, Sr. and was wed on November 22, 1939. They were the first couple to be married at Spring Green Church of Christ. From this union eight children were born: Elder Walter, Jr., Edna, Faye, Gloria, Kerry, Ida, Deacon Tyrone and Joel.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories: four sons- Elder Walter Bell, Jr. (Jean)- Plymouth, NC., Kerry Bell (Ernestine)- Plymouth, NC., Deacon Tyrone Bell (Rosalind)- Roper, NC., Joel Bell (Ella)- Jamesville, NC; two daughters- Gloria Keyes (Sherman)- Jamesville, NC., Ida Armstrong (Don)- Plymouth, NC.; twenty-one grandchildren, William Bowser whom she reared from birth; fifty-one great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; one brother-Terry Cooper (Hatsue)- Brooklyn, NY.; two sisters-Jean Ormond (Linwood)- Hampton, VA., Peggy Jackson- Chesapeake, VA.; sister-in-law- Patience Cooper- Plymouth, NC.; godson- Stanley James- Plymouth, NC., and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband- Deacon Walter Bell, Sr.., two daughters- Edna and Faye, two grandchildren- Yolandra and Tyrone, Jr., great grandchild- Rakim, seven brothers- Aaron, Elder Elmer, Thelophius, Gary, Jackie, Connie, Tony and two sisters- Odessa and Roberta.

Funeral services were 2:00PM Sunday September 13, 2015 at Spring Green Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) with Bishop Stanley Hicks, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in Spruill Eternal Rest Cemetery (Sandhill).