Gloria Jean Bell

Gloria Jean Harris was born on October 13, 1939 to the late Alvin Harris and Elizabeth Goolsby Huggins in Pittsburgh, PA. She went home to be with our Lord on September 24, 2018.

Gloria, affectionately known as “Tootie” within her family,  graduated from Oliver High School, and later married Robert Evan Bell of Beltzhoover. From this union two children were born, Robert Jr. and Theresa. Gloria was a devoted wife and stay-at-home mother. She later took a job in the fabric department at the Joseph Horne Company where she worked for 15 years. In furthering her career,  Gloria took a position at Mellon Bank as a FX Confirmations Specialist where she worked for 25 years before retiring in 2005.

Gloria’s passion for working with people  continued with her affiliation with NUMBA (National United Merchants Beverage Association). She served on the organization’s board and as treasurer at the national level and traveled throughout the US and Caribbean to attend its annual meetings.

Gloria was adventurous and loved trying new things—skiing and whitewater rafting among them. She was an incredible, self-taught seamstress, and enjoyed passing this skill on to her family. She was an excellent cook, and was known for her delicious pound cake, homemade rolls, potato salad and enjoyed making Christmas cookies with her daughter. She loved visiting and caring for her grandchildren, watching classic movies and traveling. She was a very loyal friend and loved her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Alvin Harris, Jr. 

She leaves her legacy to her children: Robert (Charlene) Bell, Jr.  and Theresa Bell; brothers: Sidney and Alton Harris; sister: Rolene Naveja; grandchildren: Cachaca (Richard) Beasley, Brandon Bell, Cherise (Marcus) Clark, Robert (Christine) Bell III, Isaiah (Erin) Bell, Cynthia Bell, Simeon Bell, Ezra Bell, Boaz Bell, Chavela Bell, Nathaniel Bell and Stephen Bell; 10 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, family and friends.

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