Vernice Permilla Bell

Vernice Permilla Bell (affectionately known to most as ”Bernice”or “Bunny Rabbit”) the beloved daughter of the late Cornelious Dancy (Bennett) and Johnnie Richardson Senior, was born December 24, 1947 in Crawfordsville, Arkansas. Vernice accepted a belief in Christ at an early age at the Bethel A.M.E. Methodist Church in Lansing, Arkansas. In 1965 Vernice moved to Saint Louis Missouri and resided on Bircher Avenue, attended Beaumont High School and joined fellowship with Old Landmark Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Elder Willie T. William. Later in 1969 she relocated to Chicago Illinois and joined the New Freedom Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James Brown and worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant at Central Nursing Home for over ten years. Vernice united in Holy Matrimony to (J.C.) Bell of Chicago, Illinois in 1978. She and J.C. nurtured four children, two devoted sons Demetrius D. Stapleton and Steven Richardson and two beautiful daughters Latesha and Shanly Bell. Vernice was the second child, the petite one who loved children, people and travel. She’s the one who kept an entourage and a lot of visitors because everyone loved to be in her presence. She would get so tickled while attempting to share a story or an event, that when you heard her laugh, it made you feel so good inside. Vernice welcome all in to her home. She was a care taker, a supporter and a temporary home provider to those who had no place to live. When you visited her home, you were guaranteed two things; one to receive a delicious southern cooked meal and two you best believe you were watching the Temptation’s movie, even if you saw it before. Vernice journey’s just begun, life holds so many facets, this earth is only one. So, just think of her resting from the sorrows and the tears and going to a better place of warmth and comfort, where there are no days and no years. She will definitely be missed by many. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Bennett and Margaret J Goldberg and five brothers, Johnnie Richardson, Johnnie B Brown, Michael Richardson, Grant Lee Richardson, Fred Stinnett, and a brother in law Arther Wooden; a grandson ‘Ameer P Richardson, a granddaughter Margaret Richardson, a stepchild-Willie Mae Parham and a ‘special cousin “Robert Thompson” She leaves to cherish; her loving husband J.C. Bell of Chicago Illinois, her caring sons Demetrius D Stapleton(Kimberly) of St. Louis and Steven Richardson(Sharon) of Chicago Illinois and her precious daughters LaTesha and Shanly Bell of Chicago Illinois; and three stepchildren- Eward, Danny and Marilyn Swangian of Texas. She is survived by her precious grand-children; Ashley Reynolds (Stacey), Deara Stapleton, Kenyetta White, Derek Vandyke, Steven Richardson-Vandyke JR, Demetrius D Stapleton JR, Gabrielle Mann, Shaunice Richardson, Paris P Richardson and Kimyra Stapleton and her adorable great-grandchildren; Jayla Foster, Alyssa Reynolds, Stacey Reynolds Jr. and Jade Foster. She also leaves to cherish ten loving siblings; four sisters; Emma Bennett and Ruby Bradley of St Louis and Carloss (Arthur) Guess of Arkansas, Frankie Richardson of Minnesota and six brothers- Cornell (Tanya) Richardson, Henry ( Evelyn) Bennett of St Louis, Carl Lee (Debra) Richardson of Arkansas, Doneal (Brenda) Bennett of St. Louis , Patrick (Katherine) Bohanon of Arizona and Casanova Richardson of Minnesota and three sister-in laws Rose, Alice and May and her loving mother-in law Willie Young. Vernice will truly be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and her very special devoted friends.

Vernice Permilla Bell

December 24, 1947 - August 28, 2013