Gloria Gay Bell

Gloria Gay Bell, 92, was born into eternal life on November 4, 2024 with her daughter by her side.

Gloria was born on February 19, 1932 to Alma and Walter Bell in Berrien Springs, MI. Gloria was a 1950 graduate of Berrien Springs High School and went on to study real estate. Gloria was crowned Miss Berrien Springs in high school and she got her real estate license and broker license while living in Louisiana. Gloria was a full time realtor who owned her own business in Metairie, Louisiana until she was 84 years old when she retired and moved back home to Berrien Springs. She had a knack for envisioning what an old home could look like with love and care. She renovated two little homes for herself, one in Metairie, LA and one in Berrien Springs, MI. Her impeccable taste in home decorating was admired by all and shared by her granddaughter, Kara, who would often sit with her and watch HGTV together. She painted many pictures in her home, which now reside in her family’s homes in memory of her.

Gloria had two children, Linda Benton and James Ott. She is preceded in death by her son James who was laid to eternal rest on November 6, 2013 at the age of 45 after a long battle with blood cancer. James had one son, Jeremy Ott who lives with his wife, Taryn, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jeremy has fond memories of playing with his father’s old Star War toys at his grandma’s little house in Metairie. Linda has five children, Michelle (Shawn) Storbakken, Kara Erlandson, Jay Kesterke, Donovan Benton and Tyler Benton. Linda’s children have five great grandchildren of Gloria’s (Zachary, Collin, Owen, Drew, and Christina) that also knew her well. Gloria is also survived by her niece JoAnn (Bruce) LaBaumbard who was like a daughter to her and spent many hours with her in Berrien Springs. JoAnn’s three sons, Jason, Mathew and Joshua were like grandchildren and their children her great grandchildren. Gloria also has two stepchildren Heidi Ott and Kirk Ott. Gloria is preceded in death by Kale, Heidi’s son, who was laid to eternal rest on September 9, 2023. She is also preceded in death by her sister Shirley, mother Alma and father, Walter. She is survived by her brother Bob (Eleanor) Bell who also lives near her home in Berrien Springs, Michigan and just recently celebrated his 94th birthday. All of Gloria’s siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and stepchildren congregate yearly at “The Chalets” for family reunions. We all fit into a two bedroom one bath chalet. Family would sleep side by side in the living room, with grandma on the couch and little room to spare. This tradition was continued by Gloria for over 55 years. Many wedding showers, baby showers, family reunions, and get togethers occurred over the years at the chalets, and we promise you, grandma, that we will continue to gather at the chalets in your memory for years to come with your great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Gloria would be able to explain the Bell family tree better than anyone as she was avid at genealogy and researched our family back to the Revolutionary War. She has countless artifacts, photos, and newspaper clippings chronicling our family, a valuable history that connects us all to each other and our rich past.

Gloria not only highly valued family, but she had many friends in the community as well. When asked how retirement was going one day, she said, “Retired? I’ve never been retired!” She was on the board at the Central County Senior Center in Berrien Springs. She spent many hours visiting with friends there. She was one of three people left in her graduating class. This class met yearly for reunions. Gloria would take a train to her reunions when she lived in Louisiana each year because she was always deathly afraid of flying. Gloria attended Sunday services each week at her home church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs. Gloria also helped every Thursday with the Bread of Heaven Food Pantry at the Berrien Springs Methodist church, which provides food for families in need in the Berrien Springs, Berrien Center, Eau Claire and Sodus areas. Whatever it was, Gloria was always active and busy. She’d drive to the senior center or to church in her sporty Honda Civic, which she gifted to her great grandson Drew, and respond to texts from her grandchildren on her cell phone. She was truly young at heart.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Services to honor Gloria will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Berrien Springs on Saturday, November 9. Visitation at 10am with funeral following at 11am. Lunch will be provided in the fellowship hall afterwards. Gloria will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Berrien Springs.

Written By: Kara Erlandson, Granddaughter