Nannie Mae (Richardson) Bell

February 13, 1942 - August 20, 2026

Nannie Mae Bell (84) of Lakeland, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, August 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Emmett Earl and Thelma Richardson, the youngest of six children.

Nan loved the Lord dearly, and loved going to church. Her older sister, Doris, led her to the Lord when she was 13 years old. She had a lovely singing voice and was part of a musical family. She enjoyed singing at church with her sisters and could harmonize beautifully. She played the accordion as well as the spoons! She was the choir director at her church in Maryland, before moving to Florida in 1984. She continued to serve the Lord in church after settling in Florida, including joining a handbell choir with her daughter, Pam. Nan loved children, and helped in the nursery and Vacation Bible School throughout much of her adult life.

Nan was married for 61 years to Richard “Dick” Bell, and raised five children. She treasured her time with her children and their families including their vacations together. She loved entertaining friends and family at home, and was a very good cook. She especially loved Christmas, and all the opportunities to gather and celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Nan worked briefly before marriage then dedicated herself to being a stay-at- home mom to raise her children. In her later years, she worked as the manager of a Dairy Queen here in Lakeland, owned by a friend of hers.

She is survived by her children: Jane (William) Stegall of Shrewsbury, PA, Richard (JoAnne) Bell, Jr. of Sugar Grove, IL, and Pamela Bell of Lakeland, FL; daughter-in-law, Mindi Bell; her grandchildren, Daniel Gagliano, David Gagliano, Joseph Bell, Timothy Bell, Hayley Holly, Joshua Bell, Grant Bell, and Lauren Bell, and ten great grandchildren, as well as her sister, Addie Salmelid.

Nan was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bell, Sr., her son, David Bell, her granddaughter, Julie Bell, grandsons Richard Bell, III, and Taylor Bell, and great grandson, Stephen Bell, along with her parents, Emmett Earl and Thelma Richardson, and four siblings.

There will be a viewing at Gentry-Morrison, Serenity Gardens, on Tuesday, August 25th from 10:00-11:00 a.m., with the funeral service immediately following.