Maria Lee Bell, 96, died Friday, November 6, 2009 at her home.

Mrs. Bell was born September 16, 1913 to William Owen Savage and Daisy Jane Saunders Savage. She was a life-long resident of Burgaw and Pender County, having resided in the Six Forks community most of her life on land first farmed by her grandparents, Sarah Brooks Savage and John Savage.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond "Dook" Bell, Jr.; her eldest son, Raymond "Skeebo" Bell III; and her only daughter, Ouida Ellen Bell.

She is survived by her sons, William Robert "Bobby" Bell of the home and Dr. Duane Hodges Bell (Kate) of Tucson, Arizona; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Margaret H. Bell (widow of Angus M. Bell) of Wilmington; daughter-in-law, Georgia R. Bell (widow of Raymond Bell III) of Burgaw; three grandchildren, SuEllen Bell Darnell (Lindsey) of Chesterfield, Virginia, Dr. Maria Katherine Bell of Tom's River, New Jersey, and Karl Hodges Bell (Karen) of Tucson, Arizona and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by a very special friend of more than 60 years, Eloise Reade Farrior of Burgaw; two equally special nieces, Jennie B. Hahl of Holden, Massachusetts and Mitsn B. Mitchell of Laurel, Maryland; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Maria Lee was interested in many things, especially antiques and flowers. She also loved to cook and enjoyed entertaining; she was known as a gracious hostess for many years. She was an enthusiastic bridge player up until the age of 95. She also drove herself to church until that age as well as made frequent outings in her golf cart to check on the family farm. At the age of 47, she with her husband, "Dook", opened Maria Lee's Florist in Burgaw. Together, they made it into a thriving part of the Burgaw business community until his death and her subsequent retirement at age 65.

Maria Lee was a member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

Services will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Ralph Evans officiating at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

Burial will follow the services in the Savage Family Cemetery in Six Forks.

Pallbearers will be Leddell Casey, Terry Cox, Jesse Cartwright, Scott Miller, Brad Mitchell, and John Reade. Honorary bearers will be J. B. Rivenbark, Jr., Greg Murray, David Howard, Edward Farrior, Charles Bell, Mac Bell, Bob Cagle, Norman Blake, Ronnie Swinson and Matt Murray.

The family will receive friends at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and at other times at the family home in Six Forks.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.