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Born in 1912
into a doctor's family in Owen Co. Mrs. Beulah
Bell has continued
the same caring, ministering spirit of her
parents for more than 50
years in the mountains of Eastern
Kentucky. Her childhood was
lived in the small town of
Wheatley, Kentucky, where she observed
first hand the
demanding and sacrificial service of her country
doctor Dad.
Perhaps it was in this home environment that she
first learned
the art of caring for others, a gift she has
faithfully given to her
family, friends and community throughout
the years.
Following graduation from high school, Beulah enrolled in
Georgetown college, where she majored in music. She completed
her college
degree in three years and in 1934 entered the Louisville Women's
Missionary Union Training School where she received a
master's
degree in religious education. for one summer during
this
degree program, Beulah volunteered to go to eastern Kentucky
to
direct Vacation Bible Schools in Letcher and Pike Counties.
This enriching and enjoyable experience in the mountains was
never forgotten and looking back, must have been God's plan of
preparation
for later years of ministry along with her husband,
Rev. J.S. Bell.
While in the Training School at Louisville Beulah met J.S. Bell,
a
student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1936,
following graduation, the two were married and began a brief
pastorate at a Baptist church in Tennessee. Following this
ministry,
the Bells served churches in the mountains of Eastern
Kentucky,
first in the mining camp of Fleming for three years, then
at the
Hindman Baptist Church in Knott County. For all 38
years of
ministry to the beloved mountain people, Mrs. Bell stood
faithfully
beside her husband in all circumstances. With
untiring dedication,
she prepared stencils for church bulletins and newsletters, visited
those in need, wrote hundreds of notes of
encouragement and comfort, played the organ and/or piano in every
church service, taught Sunday School, assisted in county bible Schools
and numerous other activities
that become the role of a pastor's
wife. In addition, she lovingly and
wisely nurtured her four
children and provided constant support for
her husband. For 13
years, she taught music courses at Hindman
High School while
continuing to keep the home fires burning and
attending to ministry needs of her church family. When retirement
year came, Mrs. Bell never slowed down or sought a moment of
pleasure for
herself. Rather, steadfastly gave to others. And in
the twilight years of her husbands life when he became bedfast with
the deteriorating disease of Parkinson's, Mrs. Bell stayed
faithfully
by his side, using those skills of professional car she earned form
her
father many years before. In 1994, her husband was called "home,"
but Mrs. Bell continues to serve the mountain people with a thankful
heart and a spirit of devoted love.
Corbett Mullins
April 2003
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