Doris May (Coppess) Bell

Doris May (Coppess) Bell, 87, of Sunfield went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 1, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Doris was born on May 14, 1938, in Lake Odessa, MI to John and Myrtie (Hager) Coppess.  She lived on the family farm in Sunfield and graduated from Sunfield High School in 1956.  She was active in 4-H and was the drum major for the high school band.

Doris married Darrell Bell on May 24, 1957.  They built their home on Dow Rd together, doing most of the construction themselves.  This is the home where they raised their family and lived the remainder of their lives.

Doris worked after high school at Mapes Furniture Company as a bookkeeper.  She continued working until she and Darrell started their family, then becoming a homemaker while the girls were young.  After they were grown, she returned to Mapes for several more years before retiring in 1995.

Doris had many interests, among them sewing, gardening, painting, and flower arranging.  She and her sister, Betty, often traveled to local craft shows, displaying their crafts.  For several years, Doris maintained a craft shop in her basement where friends and neighbors could come to shop.  She began writing poetry and short essays in her spare time and would often share those writings with family and friends. 

Doris was an active member of the Sunfield United Methodist Church for most of her adult life and volunteered there decorating the church, helping serve meals, and maintaining the card ministry.  She accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age and loved Him with all her heart.  She maintained her faith despite the struggles she experienced as she began to decline from Alzheimer’s. 

Doris is survived by her two daughters, Dyan Cornish (Cyle) and Dawn Lazo (Milo), and granddaughter Crysten Cornish.  She is also survived by her sisters, Betty Smith and Ruth Ann Fuller, and brother Jack Coppess (Betty Lee), as well as many cousins.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, John and Myrtie, and husband, Darrell.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Monday, October 6th, at Sunfield United Brethren Church.

Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 7th, at Sunfield United Brethren Church with luncheon to follow the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Rosier Burial and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 36, Sunfield, MI  48890.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris May (Coppess) Bell, please visit our floral store.