Anita Marie Rucker Bell, 86, of Bay City passed away July 5, 2016. She was born on Friday the 13th on June 13, 1930 in Waco, Texas to the late William Casseday Rucker and Gladys Anita Hardy Rucker.

Anita was also known as "Skeets" to many of her friends and family. She had a zeal for life and learning that was infectious. She was a devoted wife, a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a cook, an artist, a pilot and a friend.

On June 19, 1949, at the tender age of 19, she married the love of her life. They were married for 67 wonderful years.

Survivors include her husband William M. "Bill" Bell of Bay City; daughter Kathy Richers & husband Bob of College Station; sons Bill Bell, Jr. & wife Janet of Bay City and Tim Bell & wife Jeannette of Bay City; sister Betsy Lloyd of Austin; brother Pat Rucker of Las Vegas, NM; grandchildren Caleb Richers & wife You En, Cass Richers, Catilin Bell, Garrett Bell, Tasha Israel, Mathew Bell, Tina Israel and Taylor Bell and great grandchildren Phoebe Richers and Abby Richers.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5PM until 7PM Friday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Leroy Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cass Richers, Caleb Richers, Garrett Bell, Mathew Bell, Taylor Bell, Bobby Bell and Barry Bell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those interested make a donation to the Bell Family Scholarship Fund, to provide college scholarships to students from Van Vleck High School, where Anita taught for many years. Mail to Bell Family Scholarship, 3322 6th St., Bay City, TX 77414.

Special thanks to Irene Garcia, Emma Gonzales, Sandra Brown, Bertha Fields and Barbara Daniels, the angels who cared for her on earth, until she left to be with Jesus forever.