Jeanene

Bell

Jeanene "Jeanie" Bell (Coats) completed her journey on this earth peacefully in her sleep after a four-year battle with cancer. She was born in Cisco, TX on March 9, 1935 as the fourth child of Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Coats and Gladys Coats (Slaughter). Her family moved to Coleman, TX where she attended school and met the love of her life, William Douglas "Doug" Bell.

Her life was filled with service and giving to others as a wife, mother, and the driving force in all that she did. She married her husband Doug Bell on August 24, 1951 in Coleman. Over the next 23 years they travelled the world during his Air Force career living in Texas, Kansas, Alaska, Pakistan, Turkey, and England, before retiring in Abilene in 1974. In 1963 they adopted their son and she became a Super Mom who was involved in scouting, Little League, and school activities.

After raising their son, she became involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and founded the auxiliary at VFW Post 6873 in 1986. Her involvement in the auxiliary exemplified what it means to be a patriotic American. In 1989 she received her BA in Sociology from McMurry University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also became involved with Toastmasters International where she was known as the "Mom" for Abilene Toastmasters and served multiple terms as a district officer. She was an inspiration and mentor in everything she did. She touched countless lives in a positive way and enjoyed helping others better themselves and the world around them.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jeff and Gladys Coats, her brothers TJ Coats and Claude Nolan Coats, sister Clara Beth Coats, and stepfather Horace Hull. She is survived by her husband of almost 72 years, William Douglas "Doug" Bell, sister Sandra Coats, son William Douglas "Diggy" Bell Il, grandchildren Melanie Squires and William Douglas "Doug" Bell III, great-grandchildren Jaden Squires, Keira Squires, Noah Squires, Jackson Bell, and Preston Bell, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Please offer remembrances to the Salvation Army, VFW Children's Home, or the Gladney Center for Adoption. Her wishes were to be cremated. There will be a Memorial service at a later date.