of Yellville, AR

July 28, 1931 - February 11, 2017

Joyce Wadkins Bell, of Yellville, Arkansas, age 85, departed this life on Saturday, February 11, 2017, surrounded by her husband, daughters and other loved ones. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, February 14th at Peel Full Gospel Church, 5411 Marion County 2059, Peel, AR, with Pastor Carroll Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. A memorial service will also be held in Joyce's long-time home of Columbus, GA, on Saturday, February 18th, at Calvary Baptist Church, followed by a private burial.

Joyce was born on July 28, 1931, in Vienna, GA, and was the daughter of Hazel Leticia Ganas and William Jessie Earl Wadkins. Joyce's mother died when she was four years old, leaving Joyce with no memory of her; however, she had wonderful grandparents, aunts and uncles who dedicated themselves to enriching her young life, as she divided her childhood between the school year in Columbus and summers in Vienna. Joyce was very fortunate her father met and married a wonderful, kind and generous Christian woman, Jewel Saint, who raised her as her own, and who eventually gave her two incredible brothers.

Joyce attended Perry Business College, she worked in the Columbus Mill, and she spent many, many years working alongside the father of her children in the real estate business. Eventually, she retired after 20 years of service as a Claims Administrator, in the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG), Ft. Benning, GA. Even after retirement, Joyce continued to work locally at Yellville Tire and Auto, assisting Tim Nemeth run his business.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Jessie Earl Lee ''Bubby'' Wadkins; her stepmother, Jewel Saint Wadkins, a granddaughter, Melissa Karol Smith; and her son-in-law, Virgil Frank Petty.

Left to celebrate Joyce's life are her husband of 26 years: Greg Bell, of Yellville, AR; her daughters: Sue Petty of Columbus, GA; Kay Mason and her husband Leonard of Columbus, GA; Sharon Cook and her husband Marc, of Midland, GA; her son: Jeffery Bell and his wife Kywanna of Smiths, AL; her brothers: Earl Hayden Wadkins and wife Becky of Columbus, GA and Gary Bobby Wadkins of Katy, TX. She is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren, an aunt, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and most loyal friends.

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