Jo Ann (Holden) Bell

Jo Ann Holden Bell, 84, passed away August 26, 2023.  Born on October 6, 1938, to W. J. (Bill) and Bertha Holden.  They left her birthplace in Lyman, Washington to return home to Otto, North Carolina.  Jo was a very hard-working lady, always helping raise the younger children.

Jo married Ralph Bell on December 27, 1956, and returned to Hamilton Washington to spend time raising their children, Judy, Barb and Ralph Gregory; with children in tow, they returned to Bell Farm on October 1, 1970.  Ralph and Jo loved their family.  They provided well.

Jo Ann worked at Northern State Hospital, Joy's Bakery in Sedro Wooley, at the Paul Bunyon Cafe in Hamilton, Washington, and she also worked picking berries and peeling bark.  She worked at Rabun Mills and Fruit of the Loom, where she made so many friends along the way.

Jo will always be remembered for being an excellent cook (corn bread salad, chow chow and her famous Red Velvet Cake).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Bertha Holden; her husband, Ralph Bell; brothers, Andrew Holden, Melvin Holden and Ralph Holden.

She is survived by her children, Judy Bell of Otto, Barbara (Jerry) Watson of Otto, and Ralph Gregory (Jill) Bell of Franklin; brothers, Thad (Cecil) and Holden, Lonnie (Millie) Holden of Otto;  sisters, Fannie Holden Furness of Otto, Cora Lee (Doug) Stockton, and Hattie (Doug) Young; grandchildren, Megan (Cliff) Riester, Kenny (Emily) McCourt, Brooke (Matt) Breedlove, Chris Bell, Lauryn Bell, Jerry Watson, Jr; great-grandchildren, Ben Roberts, Harper McCourt, Evan McCourt, Alex Breedlove, Zach Breedlove and Jake Breedlove. Many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in the Chapel of Bryant-Grant Funeral Home, with Rev. Keith Ashe officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 till 2:00 prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Rush Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brud Talley, Louie Talley, Clay Talley, Keith Owens, Bryan Bell, and Daniel Brabson. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Brabson, Larry Shope, and Kevin Bell. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Coweeta Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is serving the Bell family.  

Online condolences may be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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