Blanche A Bell

Blanche A. Tyler Bell, 93, departed this life on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at Monterey Care Center. Blanche was preceded in death by husbands, John Henry Welch and I.L. Bell; parents Louis and Evelena Tyler; brothers Commer Tyler and Chandler tyler; sisters Lena Bradley, Callie Tyler, Daisy Simmons, Marie Hines and Annie Maude Wright. Blanche is survived by Daughter Velma J. Wise (Columbus, OH); three grandchildren: Sharon E. Sellers, (Annandale, VA), Dr. James LeBron Rankins (Dayton, OH), and Byron J. Rankins (Columbus, OH); one great-granddaughter, Shawnna E. Sellers (Annandale, VA); one sister, Bernice Mays (Birmingham, AL); beloved nieces and nephews; long time friends Evelyn Quarles (Detroit, MI), Mary Howard (Toledo, OH), Sadie Pollard (Detroit, MI), and W.J. Adair (Montgomery, AL); St. Paul A.M.E Church family (Columbus, OH) and Little Zion A.M.E Church family (Montgomery, AL). Blanche was born and raised in Alabama. She attended and graduated from Lomax Hannon High School, a private school operated by the A.M.E. Zion Church. She then went on to graduate from Alabama State University and enjoyed an early career as a teacher. Blanche was a life-long member of the Woman’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Prior to her illness, Blanche was a member of St. Paul A.M.E Church. Blanche loved gardening, traveling, shopping for hats and spoiling her grandchildren.