Yola Zimmermann Bell

Yola Zimmermann Bell died peacefully in her home Saturday morning November 10, 2018 with family at her side. She was born July 24, 1924 in Panama. She was raised in Panama City and while working at Gorgas Hospital met the love of her life William K. Bell, M.D. They married in 1947 and raised 4 boys. She has lived in Jonesboro since 1960 and has been very active in her beloved Blessed Sacrament Church.

She was a prominent figure in the Hispanic community and was a hero to many that she helped in so many ways. After her youngest son was in high school Yola went back to school and achieved a degree at ASU in education with a major in Spanish and a minor in French. She taught at the high school level. But mostly she lived a life 1n service to others. She worked tirelessly translating for and helping those in the Hispanic community going with them to appointments, court, jail, wherever she was needed. She also became known as "Grandma Bell" to dozens of pole vaulters, who have come to Jonesboro for the coaching of her youngest son Earl. She often hosted these athletes and their families for meals, baby showers, baby sitting or special events. They, along with the local Hispanic community, became part of her extended family.

She leaves behind a loving family that includes her husband, Dr. William K. Bell, 4 sons William Jr., Danny, Guy, and Earl, daughters in law Tatiana, Suzie, Sharman, and Cheryl as well as grandchildren Beth, April, Meredith, Beau, Rebekah, will, Drew, Sam, Henry, Paulina, Olga, and Kelly. She also has 6 great grandchildren.

Services (A celebration of her life) will be on Monday, November 12, 2018 at the Newman Center at ASU. Visitation will be at 11 AM, a funeral mass will follow at 12 noon, with graveside services immediately after at Holy Cross cemetery with active pallbearers being the sons and grandsons.

This amazing woman never met a stranger - as a result she touched the lives of many in a special way. If the measure of a person's life is by how many people love them, then Yola's life was an immeasurable success as she was loved by so many.