Mabel E. Bell

Mabel E. Bell, 81, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and a brief resident of Brookfield, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, May 17th 2025. Mabel was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey on December 26th, 1943. She was the sixth child of the late Hulley Goodwin Sr. and Nina Virginia Goodwin 1st (nee Barnes). Mabel was a 1962 graduate of Bridgeton High School. After graduating she worked as a seamstress at local sewing factories. In 1966, she married Peter D. Bell Jr. of Bridgeton, New Jersey. They were married for 53 years when her husband passed on March 12th, 2020. During their life together, Mabel and Pete built their home and operated their business, Peter Bell and Sons Trucking Company on Fordville Road for over 50 years. Together, they also raised and parented their seven children and were registered foster parents for many others. After leaving her career as a seamstress, she worked as a bus driver for Sheppard Bus Company, where she transported “her kids” to Cumberland Regional High School, after which she became employed by the State of NJ and worked at Vineland Developmental Center in transportation until retiring in 2010. She enjoyed her job at VDC and cherished the relationships that she developed there over the years. Sister Bell, as she was affectionately called, was a baptized and dedicated member of Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdon Hall in the Bridgeton NJ Congregation for the majority of her life and enjoyed talking to people about Jehovah God and studied the bible with many people in her area over the years. Mabel loved singing, dancing, and just being the life of the party at family events. She especially loved attending the Bell Family reunions in North Carolina with her husband prior to his illness. The reunion meant a lot to her and she always told her children to keep it going for both sides of the family. That encouragement is why most of Mabel’s family called her “the glue that held the family together” because she was interested in everyone in her family and would welcome all to her house because she wanted family to “know who they were related to,” in her words. She loved her Goodwin and Bell families very much…..And let no one ever forget that Mabel was an avid dog mom. She loved her pets. In addition to her husband, Peter D. Bell Jr., and her parents, Mabel is also predeceased by eight of her nine siblings: Nina Virginia Goodwin 2nd, Hulley Goodwin Jr., Andrew Goodwin, Norris Goodwin Sr., Rebekah Money, Rosemary Thompson, Carolyn Goodwin and Eileen Goodwin. She is survived by one sister: Barbara Carpenter-Frazier, Maryland, seven children: Rickie Strickland Sr. (Davina) of Bridgeton, Jewel Evans (Donald) of Atlanta, Nina Bell-Graves (Duane) of Bridgeton, Patricia Grace (Carl) of Fairton, Tracey Bell of Millville, grandchildren: Anthony Hines, Jennifer Waldemar, Andrew Grace (Shanna), Allyce Harris (Elross), Jessica Waldemar, Alayre Grace, Rickie Strickland Jr., Jordan Bell, Kendel Bell, Bradford Evans, Marcus Evans, Daveonna Strickland, Dakota Strickland, Tygeiria Cosby and Giamani Cosby. Great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Journey, Joy, Christopher Jr., Chelsea, Julian, Emory, Emani, Andrew Jr., Raegan, Austin, Lilliana, Messiah, Karter, Brooklyn, Aiden, John, Jada, Kylo, and Zen’Chase, one uncle: Kenwood Hegamin Sr., Camden, NJ. three brother-in-laws, Arthur Bell (Patricia) Texas, Allen “Danny” Money Jr. (Bridgeton), and Kevin Wesby (Blackwood), seven sister-in-laws: Mary Farmer (Bridgeton), Martha Pitts (Georgia), Beulah Goodwin (Bridgeton), Sharon Goodwin (Bridgeton), Marilyn Goodwin (Bridgeton), Barbara Goodwin (Salem) and Christine Goodwin (Millville), one special nephew: Fahym “Butter” Simons, her best friend: Darlene Morris, a host of Goodwin and Bell Family nieces, nephews and cousins. All her relatives were special to and loved by “Aunt Mabel.” If you knew Mabel Bell you know that she would tell you that she loved everyone. She was such a special person, with laughter and a smile that would fill hearts with happiness. She loved Jehovah and her favorite song was “Keep Your Eyes On The Prize.” She always took the time to tell everyone about preparing their life for what is to come. Now we must all do like Mabel Bell and “Keep Our Eyes On The Prize.”, Viewing will be Saturday, May 31st 2025 at Sray Webster Funeral Home 62 Landis Ave. Bridgeton, NJ 08302 from 10 am to 12pm with services immediately after. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements provided by Sray Webster Funeral Home. Flowers and Cards may be sent to the family on the day of services to Sray Webster Funeral Home.

Mabel E. Bell

December 26, 1943 - May 17, 2025