Ira Dell Bell celebrates 90 years of friends and family

Ira Dell, a hearty, healthy 90- year-old matriarch of the Bell clan. Sherry's Shots "Family and a few friends" is what Ira Dell Bell said would be okay for her 90th birthday party. There is no doubt the Bell's are a large Leon County family, but the Lone Star Community Center at Flo was "bulging at the seams" at Sunday's occasion so there must have been more than a "few friends".

Ira Dell Newsom was born April 3, 1919 in the Nineveh Community not too far from Flo. She married Woodrow Bell when she was twenty-one years old and the couple lived close to Trinity River when they first married; before too long Woodrow built a log cabin on his property in Flo. Maxine was the first child to be born in the cabin, followed by W. C. and June. It was obvious that the family was outgrowing the place so Woodrow set out to build another home, and this one is where Ira Dell lives today. Sandra was a baby when the family moved into the new house, then came Gary and Janet.

Those who know Ira Dell (pronounced Ardell in these parts) have a difficult time believing that she is 90 years old. She has an agile, slim body that many younger women would envy. A long time member of the Lone Star Community Center, she often spends hours working in the kitchen and scrubbing floors. Others marvel at her ability to get up and down without the usual grunts and groans. She lives alone, drives her own car and enjoys cooking for her family on Sundays. She also loves the beach and looks forward to her annual trip with June.

The birthday party was a grand affair with fresh flowers on the tables,chocolate birthday cake and chocolate water fall. One person said "This is like a reunion." And it was, a reunion of those who grew up knowing Woodrow and Ira Dell; a reunion of those who went to school with their children; a reunion of those who truly love and respect a beautiful, wonderful lady of Flo.