Mary Lee (Pendergrass) Bell

Mary Lee Pendergrass Bell was born June 9, 1926, from the union of the late Emma and Butler Pendergrass in Chester County in the Baton Rouge community of Wilksburg, SC.  She attended Lockhart Church School until the 7th grade before moving to Winston Salem, NC, graduating from Atkins High School. She married her first husband, A.R. Spencer, and two children, Carolyn and Eugene, were born to this union. After her divorce she moved to New York City, worked as a maid and attended Pace College. She majored in Business Administration and became a bookkeeper for a liquor and wine distributor, ensuring her family had plenty of spirits. Upon leaving that job she became one of the managers of Durst Real Estate Corporation and married William Bell.

Mary had an entrepreneurial mind, always looking for the next investment, buying several properties. She was also one of the founders of the Winthrop-Clarkson Block Association in Brooklyn, NY, teaching knitting to neighborhood girls.

She became an Auxiliary police officer which she took seriously.

Mary was a serious, down to earth person who enjoyed life, managing her properties, playing her piano, and doting on her family and friends.

She was predeceased by one daughter, Carolyn Spencer (1990); two brothers, George Pendergrass, and Marion Pendergrass.

She leaves to mourn her passing one son, Eugene Spencer; two grandchildren, Gina Spencer of Briarwood, NY, and Tyree Spencer of Atlanta, GA; one great-grandchild, Tyae Spencer also of GA; one niece, Carolyn Harris of Union, SC; two nephews, Terry and Donald Pendergrass of Gastonia, NC; and numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Mary was a great role model influencing many people and will be sorely missed.

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