Polly Joan Bell, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at her home.

She was born Aug. 22, 1929, in Kennett, Mo., daughter of William Howard and Rella Alice White Linam Sr. She first married Paul James Esham Sr. in 1954 in Wiesbaden, Germany. He preceded her in death. She then married Oscar Malloy Bell in 1962 in Sikeston, Mo.

Bell served in the U.S. Army from July 14, 1952, to Dec. 8, 1954. She was a member of Northside Gospel Church in Cape Girardeau, and was a member of the Native American Tribe, AhNiYvWiYa. She had been a cook at restaurants in the Cape Girardeau area.

Survivors include three sons, Paul Esham Jr., Howard Esham and Timothy Bell, all of Cape Girardeau; a brother, William Linam Jr. of Sikeston; a sister, Nancy Reed of Webster Groves, Mo.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Winferd Wren and Chief Paul White Eagle Smith officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.