Mary Stuart Bell, 94 of Broadway, VA passed away peacefully on March 12th in Harman House at VMRC.  Mrs. Bell was born May 6, 1930, at her home in Broadway, the only child of the late Joseph R. and Gladys M. (Rhodes) Rhodes.  Gladys was the granddaughter of John Marshall Rhodes, a Confederate War veteran, and Nannie J. (Sandy) Rhodes.

On August 8th, 1954, she married Richard "Dick" N. Bell who preceded her in death in 2006.  Her mother preceded her in death in 1994 and her father in 1975.

Mary Stuart graduated from Broadway High School (BHS) and Madison College (JMU) with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education.  Twenty years later she received a master's degree in history education from Madison College.  In her 35 years of teaching she taught at Warren County High School, Mt. Vernon High School in Fairfax County, and Westhampton Junior High in Richmond before returning to Broadway High School where she taught 31 years and then substitute taught for four additional years.

Mary Stuart enjoyed music and played both piano and cornet.  She was asked to become a member of the Broadway High School Band in 3rd grade and continued performing with the band each summer while in college.  She played in Madison College's Orchestra and toured with this group.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist church, where Mary Stuart taught Sunday School classes.  Her family's business was Rhodes Service Center in Broadway.  As award winners from Westinghouse Appliance Sales, she and her husband traveled on 13 trips.  Trips included Spain, Austria, Africa, Turkey, Yugoslavia, the Island of Madeira, the Bahamas and two trips to Hawaii.  These trips enriched her geography and history classes at BHS.

Family was very important, and she frequently visited aunts, uncles, and relatives with her mom in the Broadway area.  Many Sunday afternoons were spent in gatherings with other families at Lost River State Park, Cow Knob or at family homes for picnics, games, and fun.  Mary Stuart was an avid bridge player.  Hosting bridge games for ladies and for couples and participating in bridge games all over the area occurred on a near weekly basis.  During World War II, she joined the Aircraft warning service which was a civilian part of the military's ground observation corps.  Reading books was a love she passed on to her family.  In later years she enjoyed visiting friends and helping friends in poor health attend appointments.  She also provided care for her grandchildren after retirement.

Mary Stuart is survived by two sons, Richard Michael Bell and wife Lenora of Harrisonburg, and John Marshall Bell and wife Robin of Harrisonburg.  Also surviving are six beloved grandchildren, Kristin R Bell (Nels Akerson), Rachel M Bell, Hannah Bell Gonzalez (Omar), Stuart L. Bell (Rachel), Martha C. Bell, and Caroline E. Bell.  She was thrilled with her seven great grandchildren.

A private burial will take place earlier at Linville Creek Cemetery in Broadway.  A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church 13902 Timber Way, Timberville on Saturday March 22nd at 11 a.m.

Friends may visit Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway on Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 24, Broadway, VA 22815 or in honor of her wonderful care givers at Harman House c/o Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Foundation, 1501 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.grandlefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements made by Grandle Funeral Home.