Margaret B. Bell

Margaret B. Bell December 5, 1943 to June 4, 2013 Margaret Bell passed away peacefully at her earthly home near Rosanky, TX on June 4, 2013 following a courageous struggle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was born Margaret Elizabeth Bookter on December 5, 1943, the fourth of five children, to James and Mary Bookter of Leesville, LA. She grew up in and around Leesville among many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Margaret attended McNeese University in Lake Charles, LA and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1966. Following in the footsteps of her parents she spent her professional life in the classroom at the elementary level, shaping the lives of an untold number of students. She began her teaching career in St. Charles Parish near New Orleans before returning to Leesville in 1967. Her delightful sense of humor, coupled with her gentle nature and love of children, combined to make her a teacher admired and respected by her peers and loved by her students. During a marriage to Fred Rogers, she had two sons, William and David, to whom she was devoted throughout her life. In 1984 she became an Army wife upon her marriage to David Bell. Thereafter, she lived in El Paso, Texas and Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania before settling in Austin, TX in 1992 and finally near Rosanky, TX in 2004. Although she retired from teaching in Louisiana in 1989, she continued to teach in Austin and, most recently, in Cedar Creek, TX. She treasured her time among students and fellow teachers as times of great fulfillment and continued to teach until precluded by failing health. Margaret was a faithful and devout Christian throughout her life, always active in her church and bible studies, and never far from a copy of God’s word. She loved her Lord and followed him with an unconditional love for her family and friends. A talented musician, she always contributed her musical gifts to the music ministry of her church and the joy she found in music was clearly evident to everyone. She was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and an uncommon generosity for others. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her eldest son, William Rogers. She is survived by her husband, David Bell; her son David Rogers and wife Sherry of Austin, Texas; her step-son Harold Bell of Denver, Colorado; her step-son Adam Bell of Lawrenceville, Georgia; her daughter-in-law Lana Rogers of OshKosh, Wisconsin; her sister Rosalie Massie and husband Howard of Sulphur, Louisiana; her brother Jim Bookter and wife Irma of Scott, Louisiana; her brother Eugene Bookter and her brother Philip Bookter and wife Elaine, all of Leesville, Louisiana; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, June 7, 2013, Bastrop Providence Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, June 8, 2013, Rosanky Baptist Church with Interment following at Fairview Cemetery.