Althea J. Bell

Funeral Services will be held at a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Althea "Billie" Bell, 81, who passed away peacefully on April 19, 2009 at Maison de Lafayette Nursing Home. Reverened Cedric Sonnier, Pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Church of Eunice will Celebrate the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Entombment will take place in Lakelawn Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs.Bell, a native of New Orleans, LA, was a resident of Lafayette for 41 years. She graduated from St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans, where she received her BS degree in History. She was a loving homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had a strong belief in her faith, that she passed onto her daughters. No matter what kind of pain she was in, she never complained, offering it up for the suffering of others. She is survived by her three daughters, Althea "Christy" B. Zanazzi "Jeffrey" of Lafayette, LA, Catherine L. Bell of New Orleans, LA, and Janie B. Rees of Baton Rouge. She also leaves to mourn three granddaughters, Jennifer A. Zanazzi, Claire L. Rees and Rebecca C. Rees and her one greatgrandson, Jesse John Ard. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 25 years, John H. Bell, and her parents, Joseph Jacobs and Althea J. Zimmer. The family request that the visiting hours be observed on Wednesday from 8:30 am until the time of services at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff on 3 East and West at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Dr. James Dugal and Dr. Bryan LeBean for their excellent care and the following staff members at Maison de Lafayette: Jill, Kathleen, Barbara, Pansey and especially Diane. They would also like to thank Hospice of Acadiana for being there in their time of need. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made in the name of Althea Bell to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA. Personal condolences may be sent to the Bell family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Althea J. Bell

December 27, 1927 - April 19, 2009