(April 27, 1936 – May 11, 2023)
Alma Nadine Gray was born in Archer County, Texas on April 27, 1936. She was the third child of Oland
and Leota Gray. She did not like to be called Alma and preferred to be called by her middle name,
Nadine. Her siblings called her Dinky, and their children knew her as Aunt Dinky.
She grew up in Arlington, Texas spending many memorable days playing along and in Johnson Creek.
Oh, the stories she would tell! Both her parents worked at LTV, and Nadine and her siblings spent time
visiting relatives during the summer in and around Olney, Texas.
Nadine married Dan Bell and moved to Colorado with their newly blended family and spent several
years there, where the last two boys were born.
The family moved to Hico, Texas, in 1969 to make their permanent home. She received her Licensed
Vocational Nursing degree in the 1970s from Tarleton State University and worked for 20-plus years at
the Harris Methodist Hospital in Stephenville. Although she worked in various capacities while at the
hospital, she enjoyed most working in obstetrics, bringing new babies into the world.
Nadine was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Bell, her daughter Debra Singleton, son Marty Bell,
mother Leota Gilbert, father Oland Gray, sister Billie Jo Striedel, and brother Jerry Gray.
She is survived by daughters Donna Leary, Elaine Wakefield, Lisabeth Donley, sons Dan Bell, Jr., Wendell
Bell, and Jimmy Bell, along with 19 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-
grandchildren, her sister Myra Smith and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 16 th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hico.
Visitation on Monday, May 15 th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Harvest Hills Funeral Home in Hico.
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