Thelma Louise Bell, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Dec. 22, 1925, in Tamms, Illinois, to James Cleveland and Eva Marie Bergen Poole.

She and Robert Cecil Bell were married May 14, 1943, in Cape Girardeau. He died Dec. 15, 1989.

Thelma worked on an assembly line in St. Louis during World War II. After moving back to Cape Girardeau, she worked at the Brown Shoe Company and was a waitress at the Cape Girardeau Country Club for many years. She also worked in retail in downtown Cape Girardeau before retiring.

Thelma was a member of Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

She enjoyed most of all being with family, worshipping and being a homemaker.

Thelma is survived by three sons, Robert (Lawanna) Bell of Perryville, Missouri, Ronald (Kathi) Bell of Cape Girardeau and Randy (Lynda) Bell of Bonne Terre, Missouri; a daughter, LaDonna O'Connor of Cape Girardeau; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a grandson, seven brothers and three sisters.

A private funeral service was held Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating.

Burial was at Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.