LaRue Bell Pethel

LaRue Bell Pethel, 90 of Gainesville, passed away quietly on October 14th, 2021, at home surrounded by family. LaRue was born in Gainesville, Georgia, on July 2nd, 1931, to Datha Bell, Sr. and Ruby Minish Bell, the second of three daughters. She grew up on East Ave., faithfully attended Central Baptist Church, and graduated from Gainesville High school. It was at the latter where she met and fell in love with her soulmate Curtis Pethel. As Curtis was a couple of years older and working only a couple of blocks away from the school at the Gainesville Eagle, they would often meet in the school parking lot. They were joined together on June 11th, 1950.

LaRue worked at Warren Featherbone Company as a seamstress and inspector. She always enjoyed the camaraderie with the women there and loved creating with her hands. Knitting, crocheting, and quilting were her passions after the factory closed.

LaRue and Curtis were charter members of Lakewood Baptist Church, and she very much loved her Sunday morning Bible study. She will always be remembered for her beautiful white hair, bright smile and her witty, biting humor at her weekly hair appointments.

LaRue is survived by her husband of 71 years, G. Curtis Pethel, a daughter, Melinda J. Pethel, a sister Yvonne Bell Long (Jack), nieces Audrey Long Hutcheson (Lance), Deena Bell Llewellyn (Charles, Jr.), and nephew Alan Long (Edna), great nieces and nephews Jay and Holly Hutcheson and Brannen and Philip Long and cousin Marsha Conner.

Those waiting to greet her are her father, mother, brother, Datha “Dee” Bell, Jr., sister Evelyn Bell Gandara, and so many friends that I am sure the celebration will be epic.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday October 18, 2021 in the Chapel of Ward’s Funeral Home with Dr. Tyler Smiley & Dr. Tom Smiley officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. The interment will be private at Alta Vista Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
Please share online condolences with the family at www.wardsfh.com. Ward’s Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of LaRue Pethel.

Ward’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gainesville. “A Family Funeral Home”