Ione Monon Bell

Ione M. Bell, 82 of Fort Sumner, NM died Monday, January 06, 2003 at the Guadalupe Medical Center in Santa Rosa, NM following an illness. Ione was born February 7, 1920 in Fort Sumner to the home of F.C. Baker and the former Zetta Jane Coats. She began school at Fort Sumner before moving with her family to California where she grew up. Ione married William “Bill” Bell on November 8, 1935 in Fort Sumner. She studied nursing in Albuquerque, NM and worked as a nurse’s aide at Kirtland Air Force Base for several years. She later worked in a doctor’s office in Albuquerque. Ione later worked for 15 years as a secretary at an Albuquerque Animal Clinic, and as a buyer for Fedway (now Dillards) for nine years. She and her husband operated a service station and garage in Albuquerque for many years. Following her husbands death in 1989 she made her home in Fort Sumner in December of 1991. Ione and Bill volunteered for several years at Coyote State Park in Guadalupita, NM. They were members of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse where Ione served as president for five terms; a past member of the Bernalillo County Extension Club, Board of Girl Scouts, and member of Tumbleweed Travel R.V. Club and a lifetime member of Good Sams. Ione was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. She was preceded in death by her husband William “Bill” Bell on December 26, 1989; a son Ricky Spillers in 1973; grandson Jonathan “Bart” Bell in 1992; and a brother Johnny Drake. Survivors include a son John William Bell and wife Bonnie of Albuquerque, NM; a daughter Betty Jane Howse and husband James of Los Lunas, NM; six grandchildren Donnie Howse, Jim Hussin, Christine Charles, John David Bell, To-Hona Bell, and Jeffery Clarence Bell; several Great-grandchildren also survive along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 11, 2003 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner, NM with Rev. Monty Leavell officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Jim Bell, Jim Hussin, Kenny Bell, Mat Charles, Kenneth Bell, and Windell Bridges. Honorary bearers will be NM State Parks Managers, Tumbleweed Travel Club and members of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Posse. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home 804 N. Fifth Street in Fort Sumner, NM. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com