Veronica Marie Bell

Veronica Marie (Johnson) Bell was born on September 25, 1950 in Kansas City, KS to the union of the late Lucille and Benjamin Johnson. She passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Veronica graduated from Lincoln High School in Kansas City, MO, class of 1968, and also attended Central Missouri State University. She began her career at the Santa Fe Railroad, and later worked in the airline industry where she developed her love for travel and the exploration of other cultures. She later worked for the Kansas City, MO School District, and eventually retired from Children’s Mercy Hospital in 2017. At the time of her departure, Veronica was employed with the Raytown School District and was a beloved employee at Spring Valley Elementary School.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, and later served under her uncle, Pastor M.T. Broyle, at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. In her later years, she attended Concord Fortress of Hope and most recently was a member of Evangel Church, where she was extremely dedicated and served on the Food Pantry Ministry and Youth Ministry to help children further their relationship with God and fulfill their God-given purpose.

At a young age, Veronica mastered classical piano. She exhibited elegance and poise during her performance recitals throughout her childhood and adolescence. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling and especially loved cruising to exotic Caribbean islands, taking particular pleasure in memories of her trips to Puerto Rico, Bahamas and Grand Cayman. A woman of many talents and interests, Veronica was passionately devoted to her grandchildren, which she spoiled tremendously with long weekends filled with fun (and cruises!).

Veronica was the loving mother of Tamara “Tammy” Bell, Michael Bell Jr. and Stephanie Bradley (Edward); dear sister of Loretta Dowdy, Benetta Blackburn and Philandis Hayes; and devoted grandmother of Daryle Gilyard, Cortez Jenkins Jr., Kiejera Bell, Lanese Washington (Jerry), Michael "Mikey" Bell, Shontre Ellison (Kendall), Marchell Harris, Jourdan Bradley, Fredrico Bell and Mikhi Bell; as well as 15 great-grandchildren. Veronica was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Kimberly Bell-Gilyard; sisters, Teresa Johnson and Valencia “Jeanette” Boyd; and grandsons Cordell Bell and Ryshun Bell.

She also leaves to cherish her memory special friends Maurice Poindexter and Lynn Nigh.