Nora Sue Belle

NORA SUE BELLE, the second daughter of the late William and Emma (Oliver) Bell, was born on November 21, 1924 in South Hill, Virginia. She departed this life on November 18, 2011 after a battle with breast cancer. Nora was educated in the Mecklenburg County Public Schools, and was baptized at the Jerusalem Baptist Church. There she gained notoriety with her sisters, the late Elizabeth Jane and Martha Marie, as the Bell Sisters. They were the first African-Americans to sing gospel on the air in South Hill. Nora was always dedicated to her family, assisting on the family’s tobacco farm, as well as with the rearing of her eight younger siblings. Nora came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1955 on vacation and better job opportunities in the city encouraged her to remain here. Among the many jobs she held were: seamstress at London Fog, domestic for prominent lawyer and geriatric assistant at Edgewood Nursing Home. During this time she became a member of the Mt. Hattin Baptist Church where she was active in a variety of duties. Nora was also proud Eastern Star and maintained an active in variety of duties. Nora was also a proud Eastern Star and maintained active status until being diagnosed with Glaucoma. Nora met Haywood Hendricks and the relationship produced four children: Ray, Larry, Susan and Synthia. She found a partner for life when she met Reggie Parker and subsequently James was born. She made many sacrifices to provide stability for her children, as her early years in Maryland were very difficult. For several years in Maryland were very difficult. For several years she live in the Lafayette Homes, but was able to be united with Reggie in East Baltimore in 1975. After Parker’s death in 1982, Nora was determined to maintain her home and permanence for her family. She was a proud homeowner and maintained her Milton Avenue resident until her passing. Nora Sue leaves to celebrate her life: her children, all of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Tamika, Rashid, Christopher and Jihad; two sisters, Evaline Evans of South Hill, VA and Mildred Oakley of Yonkers, NY; four brothers, Leroy and George Bell of Baltimore, MD, Alvin Bell of Beacon, NY and Daniel Bell of Petersburg, VA, (her brother, Robert James Bell of LaCrosse, VA preceded her in death.) she also leaves a host of other relatives and devoted family friend, Mrs. Evelyn McCants, Dr. Melissa Green, Mrs. Linda Barnwell and Mrs. Annette Walker. She especially cherished the birth of Sanaa Muhammad.

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Nora Sue Belle

November 21, 1924 - November 18, 2011