Emogene Mckillop Bell

Emogene McKillop Bell (Cricket, Granny Bell) of Gastonia passed away peacefully at her home on June 13, 2023, at the age of 90. Emogene was the daughter of the late Thomas Grayson McKillop and Callie Collins Morgan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clemmer Bell, son Randy Bell, brothers Ted McKillop and Jim McKillop, grandson Charles E. Matthews III, and nephew Darrell McKillop.

Emogene is survived by her daughter Judy Bell Matthews Honeycutt and husband Wayne, granddaughter Sherrie Bell Rourk and husband Kevin, sisters Ann Morgan and Carolyn Dicus, nieces Jean Moore and Lisa Lovelace, and nephew Kenneth McKillop. There are also 3 great grandchildren — Abigail, Isabelle, and Declan Rourk, and numerous extended family members.

Emogene loved her family very much and was known for her Sunday dinners, when family and friends would gather to eat and catch up with everything going on in each other's lives. Her husband Clemmer called her his "Queen Bee", and she WAS the queen bee of her family; we revolved around her, especially in her later years, attending to her wants and needs.

Granny Bell was known for her generous heart — she had a soft spot for folks who were down on their luck. She suffered great hardships as a child and always empathized with people, especially children, who needed a helping hand.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Emogene's Hospice nurses who were so helpful and kind. Her sister Ann was such a loving caregiver in "Emmie's" last year. Emogene also requested that neighbors Danny Jordan and Ricky Drum be acknowledged for all the things they did for her through the years. She appreciated everything you did.

Emogene touched the lives of many people during her long life and will be sorely missed. But let us rejoice that she is in the arms of God. And what a family reunion is being held in heaven!

A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Greene Funeral Service, West Chapel, 216 Archie Whitesides Road, Gastonia, officiated by Rev. Arlene Quinn

The family will receive friends 1-2 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

The burial will be at Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Lincoln County 900 Dontia Drive Lincolnton, NC 28092.

Arrangements are with the West Chapel of Greene Funeral Service, Gastonia.