Shirley Passed away Thursday August 25 ^th in her home, surrounded by family at the age of 82. Shirley was born in San Francisco and raised in Oakland California. After marrying the love of her life, Jerry Bell, in 1969, they blended their families and began their adventures. They lived in Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, back to California and finally settling in Livingston, Texas to be close to her sister Betsy.

She excelled in several jobs she loved, but the job she loved the most was "mom." She loved to cook, make various crafts, sew, and was known for her gorgeous quilts. She enjoyed square dancing, line dancing, and more than anything she enjoyed chatting with family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and every "critter" she came across! Shirley was a passionate animal lover and could not pass by ANY animal without petting or cuddling with it.

Shirley never met a stranger. She was a wonderfully kind, compassionate, philanthropic, inclusive soul. She was a member of Catholic daughters, Livingston Piece Makers quilt guild, Daughter of the American Revolution, and throughout her life volunteered with numerous organizations, most recently Habitat for Humanity and Polk County SPCA.

Shirley fiercely loved her family. Her children grew up never doubting for a moment that they were loved.

Shirley was proceeded in death by her parents Samuel Leroy Barnes, her mother Mary Katherine (Kay) Barnes, and her sister Betsy Waite.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years Gerald (Jerry) Bell; Her children Tracy (Tom) Bane, Dale (Karen) Bell, Dan (Jude) Bell, Rob (Lena) Bell, David (Binda) Bell, and Ron "Reg" (Michelle) Bell; Her Grand Children Mary Elizabeth (Aaron) Beal, Jeffrey (Jerika) Mason, Sarah (Nick) Bell, Kyle (Lucy) Bell, Brian Bell, Matthew Bell, Lindsey Bell, Finnegan Bell, Maya Bell, and Sara (Josh) Jones; Her great grandchildren Zach Moffat, Peyton Beal, Mason Beal, Gabriella Mason, Delaney Jones, Lily Jones, Elena Mason, Emily Bell and Kyson Bell; and her favorite niece, like a daughter, Nancy Williams, and Her daughter Nicole Williams.

The date and time of Shirley's celebration of life service will be determined later. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Polk County SPCA.