Martha Elizabeth (Oswalt) Bell, 78, died Feb. 23, 2014 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. She was born Aug. 16, 1935 in Joiner, Ark. to the late Bilbo and Ruvelle Oswalt. On June 30, 1957 she married Jerry Lynn Bell, son of the late Carter and Faye Bell. Jerry preceded her in death on March 20, 2004. Survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law; Steven Bell and Jeffrey & Laura Bell. Three Grandchildren, Nick, Jon and Katie. Two brothers, J.L. (Patsy) Oswalt and T.A. Oswalt. Three sisters; Shirley Lynch, Sarah Oliger and Anita (Ron) Hodges. Two brothers-in-law, Bill Bell and Anthony Bell. Two aunts, Varnell Oswalt and Kathryn Pfeffer. Also an extended family, Melvin & Lois Cokenour and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was a member and Elder of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church, serving as Worship Chairman during her time on the session. She was President/Moderator of the Women of the Church for 6 years and was presented with a Lifetime Honorary Membership in the Presbyterian Women U.S. She was awarded the Southwestern Bell Grassroots Volunteer Award for outstanding civic, community and charitable contributions. She served the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce as president as well as chairperson and committee member of the various Women's Division Projects. She was also named Careerist of the Year in 1989. As an Altrusa Club member, she was
Recording Secretary and served two terms as President of the club. She had served on the Board of Directors of the Scott County American Cancer Society and had also been a past chairman of local fundraisers for Cystic Fibrosis. She was a 54 year member of Sikeston Chapter #137 OES, serving as Worthy Matron 6 times. She was appointed District Deputy Grand Matron of the 50th district of the Grand Chapter OES and Grand Representative to Michigan in Missouri. She was employed by the R Clinton Companies from February 13, 1968 to the present. Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 25 at the Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church with Eastern Star rites at 7:30 pm. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the church with The Reverend John Goodwin officiating. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Greg Hodges, Kevin Kerr, Steve Cox, Phil Knisley, Mike Allen, Dan Koch, Matt Howard and Terry Oswalt. Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Cokenour, David Hay, John G. Pfeffer, Charles Dean Outlaw, Gary Carter, Rex Young, B.L. Outlaw and Bobby Outlaw.
The family requests memorial contributions to either
Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church 723 Allen Blvd. Sikeston, MO 63801 or
Southeast Hospice 1701 Lacey St. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Online condolences may be sent to the family at blanchardfuneral.com