Background
Bell, Laura Jeane was born on March 11, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Harold Elwood and Mary Etta (Sprague) Downey.
Bell, Laura Jeane was born on March 11, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Harold Elwood and Mary Etta (Sprague) Downey.
Associate of Arts, Blackburn College, l94l; diploma in nursing, St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, l946; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Washington University, St. Louis, l962; Master of Science in Education, St. Saint Louis University, l969.
Relief supervisor, St. Vincent's Hospital, St. Louis, l949-58; staff assistant head nurse, head nurse, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, l958-6l; instructor, coordinator School Nursing, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, l962-67; instructor, Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Hospital., St. Louis, l967-70; assistant chief nursing service for education, Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Hospital., St. Louis, l970-7l; instructor Jefferson Barracks division, St. Louis VA Medical Center, l97l-73; medical supervisor John Cochran division, St. Louis VA Medical Center, l973-8l; supervisor ambulatory care Jefferson Barracks division, St. Louis VA Medical Center, l98l-84; retired, l984.
District representative intercultural programs American Field Service, St. Louis, 1983-1991. Recording secretary Overland (Missouri) History Society, 1988-1989, president, 1990-1992. President United Methodist Women, Stephan Memorial Church, Charlack, Missouri, 1988-1992.
Member Women's Political Caucus, St. Louis, since 1987. Vice president St. Louis North District United Methodist Women, 1992-1995. Secretary Missouri Church Women United, 1992-1995, president, 1996-980.
Chair Commission on Status and Role of Women, Missouri East Conference, University Missouri, 1992-1996. Board directors Wesley Foundation, St. Louis, since 1992. President Metropolitan St. Louis Church Women United, 1993-1997.
President Missouri Church Women United, 1996-1998. Member American Nurses Association (accreditation committee central region 1984-1988), Missouri League for Nursing (president 1978-1980, chairman bylaws 1985-1992), Missouri Nurses Association (continuing education and bylaws committee, chairman nominating committee, 3d district 1988, regional board directors 1988-1990, President's award 1989, 3d District Member of Year 2000, 04), Missouri Student Nurses Association (honorary, scholarship named in her honor 1982, chair nominations committee 3d district 1999-2000, secretary 3d district since 2001).
Married David Hoge Bell, February 2l, l943. Children: David, Roy, Thomas, John, Ruth, Keith, Mary, Richard, Howard.