Kinder-Homegoing services for Alma Louise Tipton Bell, 82 will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church. Rev. Marvin Phillips, Rev. Steve Haymon, Rev. Scott Benoit and Rev. A.A. Haymon will officiate. Burial will follow at Jesse Johnson Cemetery under the direction of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

The family will receive visitors at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 from 4-9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday morning at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church from 8 a.m. until time of service.

Alma was born on May 18, 1939 in Marietta, OK and passed from this life to her eternal reward on July 25, 2021 at her home in Indian Village. She spent her childhood in Oklahoma and Wichita Falls, TX. After her marriage, she settled in Kinder where she had lived with her family for the past sixty plus years. Alma loved her children and grandchildren. They were the light of her life. She loved life and loved people. This was evident by the hundreds of people that have visited and called her in the last couple of weeks. During these visits, many stories were told of how she helped or influenced the lives of everyone that knew her. She loved God most of all and was devoted to His service. She was Sunday School teacher and a youth leader for over thirty years at Kingsfarm United Pentecostal Church. She also taught Sunday School at Indian Village United Pentecostal Church. Alma wrote and directed Easter and Christmas plays at both Kingsfarm and Indian Village. She played the piano in church since she was a teenager. She worked with the Ladies Auxiliary and spent many hours volunteering to help others. Alma loved music, writing, crafts, sewing, painting, gardening and shopping for antiques and "junk". She wrote many songs, plays, stories and poems. She could play any instrument that she chose and played strictly by ear. She also enjoyed working in her yard, tending to her plants, using her power tools and building things. Last but not least, she loved to socialize and hosted many youth activities and parties. In the last few years, the Parkinson's disease had limited her ability to socialize and she missed that so much. She said many times in the last few weeks that she was thankful that God gave her this time to enjoy the laughter and love of her family and friends. Even in her weakness, she chose to be strong. She shared her faith and love for God to everyone who visited. Her encouraging words uplifted all those who came to share their love with her. She will be greatly missed but we know that she is in the arms of the God she served and for that we are eternally grateful.

Those left to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy are her sister, Anita Phillips of Polkville, MS; one daughter, Rhydonia Bell Norman of Kinder; two sons, Melvin "Brother" Bell of Morganza, LA and Joseph "Joey" Bell and wife, Tammy, of Reeves; one special great niece, Kathy Bell of Spring, TX; twelve grandchildren, Krista, Jared, and Brandon Norman and wife, Ashley, of Dallas, TX, Bryan "Keith" Bell and wife, Brandi, of Lacassine, LA, Whitney Bell, Chance Laughlin and wife, April, of LeBlanc, Randy, Keevon, and Brennon Bell, Meagan Holland, Kaylee Savaunt, and Devon Fontenot; thirteen great grandchildren; and many loved nieces, nephews and friends.

Alma is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Bell; son, Randall Scott Bell; parents, Leo and Louise Tipton; brother, Lloyd Tipton; and daughter-in-law, Vickie Fontenot Bell.