Ms. Hollistine Bell

Hollistine Townsend Bell was captured by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 23, 2016. She was born November 25, 1953 in Saginaw, MI the daughter of Hollis and Bernice (Richards) Townsend. She graduated from Saginaw High School with High Honors in 1971, was a member of the National Honor Society and Exchange Student to Denmark in 1970. She was awarded academic scholarships for completion of her college education. Hollistine also earned an Associate’s Degree in Business from Delta College in 1973. Holly joined The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan, in February 1973, as College Co-Ops/Clerk and most recent position at Dow was a Call Center Agent in the North America Human Resources Service Center. Holly was an Employment Recruiter for High School Business and Technical Co-Ops. In 1982, she received the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Credential from the Professional Secretaries International (first African-American secretary to receive this professional credential at The Dow Chemical Company in Midland). In 1987, she developed the Office Professional Mentor Program for the corporate area secretarial staff in Midland. In 1989, she received the Office Professional Award of Distinction from Dow Chemical as one of the top secretaries in the company. She retired from Dow in February 2010 with 37 years of dedicated service. As a member of Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Saginaw, Michigan, under the direction of Pastor, Dr. Rev. Marvin T. Smith, she was a former member of the Gospel Choir, pianist for the Youth Choir, a member of the Young Christian Women group in the Mission Department, a member of the NAACP Saginaw Branch and former member of the Professional Secretaries International, Board Member of Saginaw YWCA, Saginaw Community Cultural Center, and A. Phillip Randolph Institute. “Holly” is a former member of the Voices of Unity and Matrix I gospel music groups. In 1987, she was named as one of the 100 Outstanding Black Women in the Tri-City Area by the Top Ladies of Distinction, Saginaw Chapter. She served as a Trained Mediator with the Mid-Michigan Dispute Resolution Center in Saginaw. As a member of Zeta Amicae Auxiliary of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Amica Bell has served faithfully as past local President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary and was currently serving as Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary and served as the Former President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Chaplain and Parliamentarian of the Zeta Amicae Auxiliary, Michigan State Organization, and served in the highest office of Zeta Amicae as President of the Great Lakes Region, 1st and 2nd vice President, Treasurer and Financial Secretary of Great Lakes Region Zeta Amicae Auxiliary. “Holly” leaves to cherish many precious memories: three loving daughters, two sons and one daughter-in-law, Tracey Denise, Timitra LaShawn, Tiffany Carlayne, Anthony Lamont (Tony), Thomas Jerome and Mia Bell, all of Antioch, TN; eleven beautiful grand-angels, Bakari Jr. and Traionna West, Tarrin Daniel of Bremerton, WA, Amari West of Yokosoka, Japan, TiAzia Daniel, Antonio Bell, Evan Scott Bell, Tamia and Tamara Green, Thomas David and Londan Rose Bell; four great-grand-angels, Traion and TaRiyah West, Tyler Jackson and Lorenzo Grizzard; devoted sister, Marilyn Townsend Pearson; god-children, Michelle Brown Douglas, Marlon Lewis and Adaryll Turner; a host of special nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends including Delores Casey McNair, Faith Giryer and Gloria Culpepper. Hollistine was preceded in death by her parents, Hollis and Bernice Townsend; one brother, Hollis Townsend, Jr.; two sisters, Essie Lee Turner and Barbra Jean Reynolds. The family would like to express special thanks to: Betty Holmes Bell and Sandra Faye Sanders, Geneva Embry and Sandra Lowrey. Family hour will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 1114 North 6th Street with the funeral service commencing at 12:00 p.m. Dr. Marvin T. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Ms. Hollistine Bell

November 25, 1953 - September 23, 2016