Page 56 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2018- Online Magazine

done by car, so we could
visit out-of-the-way
places.

In Oxnard, I did lots of
volunteer work. Music
has always been a Bell
talent, and I found my
niche with the Ventura
County Symphony
League, where I was
an active member for
45 years. History has
also been one of my
passions. I decided
long ago I would be
the historian of our family. Since moved
Erle and I did not have children, I back to Texas in 2000.
could devote my time and talent In 2011, I moved to Grand Court
to saving and collecting treasures and was honored to be one of their
and organizing them into attractive Ambassadors during the years I
scrapbooks (long before the art of lived there. Since January, after an
scrapbooking became popular). illness, I have called South Haven
One album was a collection of home. I love my comfortable
information I compiled about Lady apartment and the wonderful,
Bird Johnson, which I gave to her caring environment. In the past,
secretary. I later received a very I was able to be actively involved
cordial thank you from the First in many of Lubbock’s community
Lady. Most of my 35 scrapbooks organizations and participate in
have been given to the people for lots of volunteer work.
whom I made them. In addition
to the scrapbooks, I accumulated Carma Bell, Theda’s sister-in-law,
many other treasures. The Texas is also a member of the Daughters
Tech Museum now owns a of the Pioneers and compiled the
miniature car collection of mine. historical information for this
I have given away most of my article. She says of her aunt:
collections to the individuals and “Theda loves and values people.
organizations whom I felt would She always sees the best in them
most appreciate their value. and is a pleasure to be around.
She is full of energy and is never
My husband died in 1987, and my negative; she sees beauty in
mother passed away in 1994. She everything. When we take a walk
had lived in the old home-place or a drive, she’ll say, ‘Honey,
until her death. My brother Joe look at the trees!’ She is happy
Dick thought that I should move about every little thing. Her joyful
back to Texas to be near family, attitude makes her a delight to
and I wholeheartedly agreed. He everyone she’s around.”
remodeled the little farm home, so
I’d have a familiar place to live. I

56 Lubbock Senior Link