Unforgettable, that’s what you are.

Unforgettable, though near or far…

This is part obituary, part tribute from a daughter to her mother.

Margaret Chancellor Bell, born in an orphanage in Mississippi on November 28, 1932, passed away fittingly on Sunday - her favorite day - February 1, 2026. Her life was different versions of the American dream.

Having been an orphan, and having moved from home to home as a child, Margaret soon discovered that “the most stable people in the world were teachers.” That discovery would lead her to become a teacher herself. She would say, “From the beginning of my teaching career, I have wanted students to feel security and total acceptance, and to realize the classroom could enrich their lives and give sense, order, and wonder to their world.”

Coming from very poor circumstances, Margaret worked to put herself through school. She graduated from Mississippi College in 1954 and married in 1955. Two children followed before the family moved to Pensacola, FL. Margaret taught students at East Hill Christian School, Barrineau Park Elementary School, and finally at Ferry Pass Elementary School. In 1984, she earned her master’s degree at the University of West Florida. She was President of Kappa Delta Pi, Membership VP of Phi Delta Kappa, Chaplain of Alpha Delta Kappa, and served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi College Alumni Association. In addition to her service in educational organizations, Margaret was often asked to make professional presentations for meetings, workshops, and school-wide programs across Escambia County. She touched, and inspired, the lives of many young people over the decades of her teaching career, and she believed schooling was extremely important.

After retiring from the world of education in 1998, Margaret enjoyed traveling out of the country. She visited London, France, Scotland, Greece, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, and countries across Europe, sometimes with the choir at First Baptist Church of Pensacola. She sang in concert in prominent cultural venues including Carnegie Hall. Additionally, she got involved with the Pensacola Historical Society as a tour guide downtown, and volunteered as a financial screener at Health & Hope Clinic through the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association. First Baptist Church Pensacola was home in her heart. She was an active member there for 57 years, becoming a member of the Heritage Club, singing in the choir, greeting visitors and members at the Welcome Desk, and establishing the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry at the church that ultimately led to the collection of 7,152 gift boxes for worldwide distribution to children in 2025!

Aside from her professional accomplishments and volunteerism, Margaret was a lover of beauty and culture. She recognized it in music, decorating, clothing, literature, art, and nature. She loved the water and the beach, and thought there was nothing more grand than a Pensacola Beach sunset.

Margaret stressed the importance of dressing well and looking one’s best. Having been a Campus Beauty at Mississippi College, she rarely left the house without an attractive outfit, earrings, and lipstick applied so masterfully that she never needed a mirror! She was, in our memory’s eye, a great beauty at her age. Her love of sparkly things was passed down to her daughter and granddaughter. A good pair of diamond, or rhinestone, earrings is never wrong!

Margaret loved formal settings and occasions. She enjoyed tea at The Ritz Hotel in Paris, and dinners at Jackson’s downtown. She was an arbiter of refined taste, but also enjoyed the simplicity of a tomato sandwich on white bread with a glass of sweetened tea.

The English language intrigued her, and she felt it vital for others to love it as much as she did. She taught us that “a lot” was two words, and that it was important to read.

Margaret possessed the gift of friendship and shared it generously. She embroidered facts with fiction and a good theme from the Hallmark Channel which always made her stories very interesting! Her daughter will forever think of her when she hears the hauntingly beautiful song, Moon River. It was a favorite of Margaret’s. Margaret was curious, had social charm, and always enjoyed conversations with interesting people.

She was married for 61 years to a devoted husband, Ed, whom she lost in 2016, and she was bereft after the passing of her most beloved son, Richard “Dick” Bell in 2021.

Margaret is survived by a daughter, Angela Shepherd, Angela’s husband, Richard; a granddaughter, Mamie; and grandson, Nate, and Nate’s wife, Jess.

It is hard to imagine that life will go on without "Nana," but we are committed to upholding her spirit, her love of literature and adventure, her gift of friendship, and her devotion to Jesus Christ.

While Margaret always attended funerals, she was insistent that she not have one of her own. We are honoring her wishes at this time as she is quietly buried with her husband at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.

We wish to thank Margaret’s dear friends and caregivers who made sure she got to church, cultural events, parties, and luncheons over the years when she could no longer drive. She had a tribe and these people were its members!

Thank you to the loving people at Summer Vista Assisted Living who helped Mother over the last 4 years. Summer Vista, its staff, and residents were an incredible source of love, laughter, fun, encouragement, and support.

We remain grateful to the nurses and staff at Vitas Hospice who took care of Margaret over this past year, and particularly during her final days at Sacred Heart Hospital. They laughed with us, counseled us, wept with us, and held us tight when we needed it.

Finally, to First Baptist Church Pensacola - our sincere thanks for loving Mother and for honoring her at every turn. This church was as close to Heaven for Mother as anyone could find on Earth! She believed in its people, its mission, and its service to the community and world. If you met Mother, you would receive an enthusiastic invitation to visit First Baptist Church within five minutes! She wanted everyone to have a church home.

Because of that, and in lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a contribution to the world-class music program under the direction of Scott Cameron at First Baptist Church Pensacola - either financially, or with your presence in the choir or orchestra.

In keeping with Mother’s tradition of inviting people to church, we extend an invitation for you to visit First Baptist Church Pensacola on Palafox Street. You will find, as Mother did, that love abides there.

Unforgettable, in every way

And forever more, that’s how you’ll stay.