Charlotte Mae Bell, 85 of Columbus, Missouri, died Monday, March 16, at her home surrounded by her family.

Charlotte was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Lone Jack, Missouri, the daughter of Charley C. Shore and Florence Mildred (Cline) Shore. She graduated from College High School and received her teaching certificate from Central Missouri State University, both in Warrensburg.

She was united in marriage to Vernon Alfred Bell on April 17, 1949, in Higginsville. Charlotte taught at Pleasant Shade School near Holden and Basin Knob School before deciding to stay home to raise her family. Several years later, she was employed with Western Electric in Lee’’s Summit and more recently, Gates Energy. Charlotte was a member of Enon Baptist Church in Pittsville where she was a longtime preschool Sunday school teacher and active in the Christian Clown Ministry. She was also an active member of Extensions Homemakers and 4-H in years past. She was a Hereditary Member of the National Society Magna Charta Dames. Charlotte enjoyed gardening, music and crafting.

Survivors include her husband, Vernon; three sons, Larry Bell and wife, Sherol, of Holden; Terry Bell and wife, Sue, of Centerview, Missouri; and Gary Bell and wife, Tina, of Centerview; daughter, Joyce Quick and husband, Layne, of Lone Jack; brother, Raymond Shore, of Warrensburg; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Calvin Shore and Kenneth Maines.

Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with Pastor Jerry Lockwood and Pastor Don Slone officiating. Interment will follow in Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in Columbus. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery Association in care of the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.