Ruby Nini Bell, 95, died December 9, 2009, in a nursing home near her home in Fancy Gap, Virginia. Born in Abbeville, Louisiana in 1914, Ruby moved to Beaumont about 1923. She then left Beaumont in 1982, to be near her son in Georgia until her final move with the family to Virginia in 2002.
Ruby had a career in the accounting departments of several firms in Texas and Georgia. In Beaumont, she was first employed at The White House Department Store, then the Beaumont City Water Department, followed by National Cash Register, where she rose to office manager. Ruby retired from National Cash Register in 1979.
After growing up as a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, she was later a member of St. Anne Catholic Church. In Atlanta she joined All Saints Catholic Church and while residing in Virginia, she attended Holy Angels Catholic Church in nearby Mount Airy, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank J. Bell, in 1985; brothers, Earl Nini of California, Everette Nini of Sour Lake, Texas and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Nini.
She is survived by her son, Thomas W. Bell, Sr.; her daughter Stella Bell, who was a star ballet performer at Sproule's Dancing School in Beaumont during the 1940's; brothers, Dr. Eugene Nini of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Hugh Nini, Sr. of Mexico; nine grandchildren, Frank P. Turi of Bricktown, New Jersey, Thann Bell and Thad Bell of Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas W. Bell, Jr., DDS of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Thea Romberg of Maryville, Tennessee, Thadria Garma of Madisonville, Louisiana, Thatcher Bell of St. Louis, Missouri, Thurston Bell of Allen, Michigan, and Thaura Jeffreys of Alexandria, Virginia; twenty great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandson; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2009, at St. Anne Catholic Church with Msgr. William Manger officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where she will be buried beside her husband, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009, with a rosary recited at 5:00 p.m., at the mortuary.
