Mary Jane (Snodgrass) Bell

Mary Jane Snodgrass Bell, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 10, 2025 at Cedar Ridge Health Campus.

Born August 31, 1932 in Cynthiana to the late James William & Hattie Jane Alley Snodgrass, she was the oldest daughter of three children. Mary Jane graduated from Oddville High School in 1950 and subsequently attended Georgetown College, receiving her degree in Elementary Education. She returned in 1974 to complete her Master’s in Education. While in college, she also chose to continue her love of music and talent by studying the organ, and was an active member of the Delta Omicron Music Fraternity, which promotes and supports excellence in music. Mary Jane became the assistant, then shortly thereafter the permanent organist at Cynthiana Baptist Church in 1951, where she has been a life-long member and dedicated servant of the Lord. She served as organist for over 25 years, retiring in 1976. She also served as pianist when needed, and especially when accompanying the men’s quartet through the years. Her talents were known and requested often. She played for hundreds of weddings, funerals and other events, and served as interim organist for the First Methodist Church after retiring from the Baptist Church.

She married her high school sweetheart, Henry Leon Bell, in January of 1955 after his return from service in Korea and completing his degree also at Georgetown College. While Leon was away, Mary Jane began her teaching career in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for two years. She returned home and taught three years at Buena Vista School before beginning her 20-year stent as a fourth-grade teacher at Northside Elementary. She remained there until her retirement after 27 years of educating children. In 1991, she was named Educator of the Year by the Cynthiana-Harrison Co. Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Jane was a 74-year member of the Rebekah Assembly of Kentucky, Independent Order of Oddfellows. Following in the footsteps of her parents, she held numerous local, district and state lodge offices, served as State Musician for many years and was elected Kentucky State President in 1995-96. She served as Guardian for the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies in 1998-99 and was presented with the prestigious International Rebekah of the Year award in 2005.

She loved the Lord and her church, her family, her many friends and, of course, all of the “children” in her classrooms. She was passionate and compassionate as proved by the way she lived her life. Cooking and baking, growing beautiful flowers and, yes, mowing grass were some of her favorite activities (even though she denied that last one!). Until she was unable to, she remained active in her church, WMU and Ladies Circle, as a member of Homemakers and served on the Harrison Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Surviving are her son, Rodney (Sherri) Bell of Paris; her daughter, Anne (Mike) Swanson of Frankfort; and a brother, Jim (Martha) Snodgrass of Cynthiana.

Also preceding her in death were her baby sister, Anne Logan Snodgrass; and nieces, Barbara & Dawn Snodgrass.

Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 17th at Drake-Whaley-McCarty Funeral Home by Rev. Jeromey Northcutt. Burial will follow in Battle Grove Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Doug Adams, Rodney Bell, Johnny Cunningham, Joe Nichols, Eddie Roe, Landon Roe, Sam Taylor Roe and Mike Swanson.

Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. Friday until the time of service.

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