Mrs. Dorothy Whatley Bell, 85, of Valley passed away peacefully at her residence and entered the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, December 7.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 11, at 2 p.m. EST at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home chapel in Valley, with Reverend Dino Atkins officiating. Burial will follow in the funeral home cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, December 10, between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her husband of 63 years, Reverend Wallace Bell Jr. of Valley; sister Ruth Hanson of Valley; son David Bell of Valley (formerly of LaGrange); daughter Danna (Dino) Atkins of Lexington, AL; granddaughter Britney Green of Rogersville, AL; great-grandchildren Oaken and Belle Green of Rogersville, AL; sister-in-law Sammie Schell of Panama City, FL; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Irene Whatley of Valley, and a sister, Grace Maddux, also of Valley.

A native of the Fairfax community, Mrs. Bell was born on November 17, 1931. She graduated Valley High School in 1949, and married Wallace Bell Jr. in 1953. The couple served in full-time ministry with the Church of the Nazarene until 1967, when the family returned to Fairfax where Mr. Bell pursued and obtained a college degree.

Mrs. Bell was a lifetime homemaker, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and interior decorating. Flowers were her passion, and her yard was always adorned with various plants that bloomed in every season.

The family remembers the life of Dot Bell through their translation of Proverbs 31.

Who can find a better wife, mother and grandmother than ours? For she is a priceless treasure. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, because she has been a faithful wife and a good support for him.

She worked willingly with her hands to make a good home for her family, and brought awesome food to the table.

She arose while it was yet night and welcomed her traveling children in and fed them after the midnight hour.

She planted flowers and shrubs and strengthened her arms by working outdoors.

Always a keen eye for a bargain, she knew how to get a good deal on quality merchandise.

As a talented seamstress, she has sewn garments for her family and made custom window dressings for businesses.

She stretched out her hand to assist the poor and needy; no one ever left her home hungry or thirsty.

She lived her life with honor and dignity; only time will tell how many people have been positively impacted by her caring and love. She opened her mouth with Godly wisdom and discernment; in her tongue was kindness and encouragement.

She looked well to the ways of her household and created the perfect home environment. Her children and grandchild are the most blessed in all the world. Her husband also is glad God gave her to him.

Many women have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all! The favor of God is all she desired, and her inner beauty shone forth like the noonday sun.

She taught her children and grandchild by her example that God is faithful. Her works will now be rewarded as she hears her Heavenly Father say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Chattahoochee Hospice in Mrs. Bell’s memory.

Visit our website at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to sign the online guestbook.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley is in charge of arrangements.