Margaret Bell

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 14, 2013

Margaret Bell passed away peacefully at her
earthly home near Rosanky, Texas on June 4, 2013 following a courageous struggle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was born Margaret Elizabeth Bookter on Dec. 5, 1943, the fourth of five children, to James and Mary Bookter of Leesville. She grew up in
and around Leesville among many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Margaret attended McNeese University in Lake Charles and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, 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, Penn. before settling in Austin, Texas in 1992
and finally near Rosanky, Texas in 2004. Although she retired from teaching in Louisiana in 1989, she continued to teach in Austin and, most recently, in Cedar Creek, Texas. 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 stepson, Harold Bell of Denver, Colo.; her stepson, Adam Bell of Lawrenceville, Ga.; her daughter-in-law, Lana Rogers of OshKosh, Wis.; her sister, Rosalie Massie and husband Howard of Sulphur; her brother, Jim Bookter and wife
Irma of Scott; her brothers, Eugene Bookter, and Philip Bookter and wife Elaine, all of Leesville; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on June 8, 2013 at Rosanky Baptist Church with interment following at
Fairview Cementery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Bastrop Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop, Texas.