DONNA OLLENE BLACKWELL BELL, 84, of Rankin, TX
passed away on Aug. 9, 2021 in Big Lake, TX.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1936 in Ranger, TX. Donna
attended Ranger High School in the Class of 1956 but
graduated from Crane High School and was an honor
graduate of Ranger College. She married Cody Mood
Bell, Jr. in July of 1958.
Donna was a life-long member of the Church of Christ,
a member of the Beta Sigma Phi International sorority,
the Texas State Historical Association, and the West
Texas Historical Association. She served the community
of Rankin and Upton County as a 4-H Volunteer & Leader,
co-chairing the Upton County Pecan Show, serving on the
Rankin Museum Board, the Upton County Historical Society,
and the Rankin Cemetery Association, and helped curate
the Rankin Museum.
Donna was predeceased by her father, John Earl Blackwell,
Sr.; brother, John Earl Blackwell, Jr. (RHS-1942); mother,
Bertha Leola Blackwell (née McGlothin); brother, J.T.
Blackwell (RHS-1944); sister, Luella Frances Blackwell
Weaver (RHS-1945); and special granddaughter, Kylie Dawn
Reid.
Donna is survived by her husband of 63 years, Cody Mood
Bell, Jr. of Rankin; son, Cody Mood Bell, III and wife
Julia of Palmer, TX; son, John Wylie Bell & wife Celeste
of Plano, TX; daughter, Kristin Elizabeth Reid (née Bell)
and husband Denson of Rankin; grandchildren: Mary Celeste
Buckmeier (née Bell) and husband Andrew of Plano; Allison
Dawn Reid of Rankin; Kevin Wayne Reid of Rankin; & special
granddaughter Shawna Deann Meyer (née Reid) and husband
Chais of Kearney, NE; great-grandchildren Georgina Shea
Meyer and Isla June Meyer of Kearney; brother, Walter Lee
Blackwell (RHS-1960) and wife Candace of Carrizo Springs,
TX; and sister, Vinetta "Sissy" Estelle Blackwell Miller
(RHS-1963) and husband Richard of Gainesville, TX.