Happy "Doris" Bell

Doris Evans Bell was born on October 13, 1935 in Snyder, Texas to Frank Evans and Laura Page. She joined the Lord and her husband of 71 years, Dalton Bell, on November 5, 2024.

Many are learning for the first time that her name is Doris and not Happy. This was a childhood nickname given to her because of her cheerful disposition and love of life. It stuck with her throughout her life and her first grandchild, Dalton Lee, called her Happy and it became her official grandmother name.

She and Dalton were high school sweethearts and married in Carlsbad, NM on August 12, 1950. They raised five sons and a daughter. They invited more children and a few adults into their home during a time of need. She loved them all.

Happy's formal education concluded with a GED, but she was a lifelong learner and had the heart of a historian. She was an avid reader and wrote an anthology of short stories and poems about her childhood and life milestones.

She spent her life serving others. She was a cub scout leader for the boys, "Blessed Home Room Mother" for Jennifer and the loudest cheerleader possible for Happy's Little Rotten Kids' many activities, awards, graduations and weddings. She was awarded the Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award for starting the English as a Second Language (ESL) program for adult learners at her church.

She and Dalton were founders and lifelong members of Westside Church of Christ, where they served side by side. She regularly taught the childrens' classes and her favorite thing was teaching the children songs like Jesus Loves Me and This Little Light of Mine. When she was 80, she spent two weeks preparing Christmas Blessing Baskets for the elderly at her church. She also served side by side with her lifelong best friend, Geneva Holland.

She worked alongside Dalton in the farming, ranching and oil business. Yet, her greatest joy and blessing was her family and friends. Her hospitality knew no bounds. You were always welcome for a glass of tea, a meal or a long stay in the guest house.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers Leon, Larry and Mickey Evans, her grandson Jesse Dalton Bell and her great-grandson Bodie Jesse Sparrow.

She is survived by her sons John Bell (Sylvia) of Weed, NM, Fred Wootton of Denison, TX, Joel Bell of Artesia, NM, Jeff Bell of Van Horn, TX, Jerry Bell of Sacramento, NM and her daughter Jennifer (Chris) of Lubbock, TX. She is also survived by Elizabeth Cleve (Bernard) of Elk, NM, 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, her brother Gilbert Evans of Tularosa NM, and her sisters Sally Stade of Carlsbad, NM and Janie Lewis of Smyer, TX.

She will be laid to rest next to Dalton at the Pinon Cemetery in Pinon, NM on Saturday, November 9. A celebration of life service will be held at Westside Church of Christ in Artesia, NM on November 23 at 11:00 am for both Happy and Dalton. A meal will be provided afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in her honor to New Mexico Christian Children's Home, which she supported endlessly throughout her life.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to ALL of the employees at Artesia Goodlife for their excellent and endless love, care and compassion for Happy. We would also like to thank Interim Hospice angels and caregivers for their kindness and love given to Happy until the end. Thank you.