Vernon "Papa" Bell

Funeral service for Vernon Dale Bell will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the Inola Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Sweeten Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 1 -8 p.m.

Vernon passed away Saturday, May 3, 2014 at the age of 79.

The son of Mannie and Mabel Reed Bell was born May 15, 1934 in Grant, Oklahoma. He attended Grant High School, where he enjoyed playing baseball. During high school he met the love of his life, Iva "Nell" Frazier. Shortly after graduation on July 20, 1953 they were married in Denison, Texas. They made their home in Tulsa until moving to Inola in 1984. He worked for American Airlines for over 33 years before retiring in May of 1989. Vernon considered himself an outdoorsman. When he was younger Vernon enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as just being outside. In his later years golfing became his favorite activity. He also was great at fixing things, he could fix everything from his home to any type of small engine. He truly loved working with his hands. Vernon taught himself carpentry and was very skilled. He built at least one building at each of the homes they lived in.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mannie and Mabel Bell, infant, children, Lisa Gay and Angelique Bell; siblings, Sharon Sue Green, Reed Bell, Kenneth Bell, and Juanita Banks.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Nell of the home; children, Sonja Tyler and husband Robert of Spring, TX, and Tami Loyd of Inola; grandchildren, Shanon Wray and wife Chanin of Spring, Texas, Lynn Loyd of Claremore, Bobby Loyd of Inola, and Jeramia Loyd of Inola, great grandchild, Bryce Wray; siblings, Bill Bell and wife Loy of Broken Arrow, and Anna Ruth Testerman and husband Curt of Hugo; brother-in-law, Whitney Frazier of Kossee, TX; sisters-in-law, Norma Sumrall of Gretna, LA, Mickey Cash of Leonard, TX, and Edith Story of Auburn, CA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.