Fort Valley, GA - Funeral services for Mrs. Frances Kelly Simms&Bell of 260 San Micheal Drive will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of the St. Luke Episcopal Church in Fort Valley, Georgia. Mrs. Bell passed away on Monday, January 11, 2015 at her residence. Burial will follow in Willowlake Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Mrs. Frances Simms Bell, daughter of the late Augustus and Elizabeth Kelley Simms, was born on March 9, 1916 in Elkins Park, PA. She departed this life on January 11, 2016. She had one sister, Mary Simms Thomas, who preceded her in death. She attended the public elementary and high schools in the area and graduated from Cheney State Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education. Soon after graduation, she was recruited to come to Fort Valley to teach at the Peach County Training School and she made Fort Valley her home. For many years she taught seventh grade, where she instilled in her students a love of learning and shared her love for poetry by having students memorize many of her favorites.

She was a real educator in every sense, spending countless hours refining her skills and encouraging all her students to always do their best. She returned to the University of Pennsylvania and Atlanta University during the summer months to continue her education. Her entire teaching career was spent in the Peach County School System, where she became principal of Peach County Elementary School in 1954, a position from which she retired in 1984.

Mrs. Bell met and married her husband, Herschel Alexander Bell in 1952. He preceded her in death in 1983. From this union was born one son, Herschel, Jr. who was his mother's loving caretaker during her final years.

Mrs. Frances S. Bell was well known and dearly loved in the Peach County Community, where she was a lifelong member of St. Luke Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry, as Senior Warden, and singing in the choir for many years. She was an active volunteer in many organizations, serving on the Boards of the Peach County Hospital and the Kay School; as a faithful member of the Peach County Historical Society, a founding member of the Fort Valley Chapter of the Links, Inc. and a charter member of Beta Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. She was a very giving person, always looking for ways to share with others and brightening their day with her calm demeanor and ready smile.

She was honored by many organizations for her faithful service. The St. Luke Episcopal Women honored her for fifty years of dedicated service. She received the Southern Area Award from Links, Inc. and was the first recipient of the Henry E. Bryant Educational Award from the Peach County Chamber of Commerce.

She leaves to mourn her passing her devoted son, Herschel, many Bell and Simms cousins, her Goddaughter, Deloris Bryant-Booker, hosts of former students and colleagues, and countless friends who have loved and supported her throughout her life. She will forever live in our memories and we will remember how our lives were enriched by knowing her.