Page 14 - Lighthouse of Hope Magazine

“People who are 100 years of
age or more are walking history
books,” said Apostle Holmes-Vann.
“They’ve seen so much change
and have lived through so much.
Overall, she said having more
100-year-olds will be valuable to
our society only if we pay better
attention to what they have to
say.” The Living Centenarian
Honoree Eunice Bell was born in 1915 in
Living to the age of 100 used to carry Shellman Georgia.
an elite badge of accomplishment. It
was an elite club, and those who turned
100-years-old – known as centenarians –
often found themselves to be alone in that
club.

Combined with better health care, better
nutrition and safer surroundings, those
with the genetics to stretch their lifetime
to the limits are becoming more prevalent. Blowing out the candles
Nowadays, the club seems to be getting a Surrounded by her church family,
little larger as centenarians are not as rare Mother Eunice Bell does a fabulous job
as they once were. of blowing out the candles symbolizing
100 years of history
Despite these facts, Mother Eunice Thomas
Bell is as rare and unique as they come. Eu-
nice Thomas was born on June 1, 1915 to
Eugene and Nannie Thomas in Shellman,
Georgia. She was the fifth child of seven
siblings. Mother Bell was united in holy
matrimony to Jessie Pittman in 1934 and
to this union 5 children were born: Will,
Lorene (both deceased), Nannie, Eddie B.
and Alberta. Family Legacy
Mother Bell’s natural family joins her
In 1964 she moved from Georgia to Jack- spiritual family at Hope Chapel Ministries
sonville, Florida. After the death of her to celebrate her 100 birthday milestone.
husband, Jessie Pittman in 1970, she was
then united in holy matrimony to Lonnie Apostle Dr. Jeannette C. Holmes-Vann,
Bell in 1975, who preceded her in death in who coordinated the surprise celebration
1990. Mother Eunice Bell has 22 grand- at Mother Bell’s local church, complete
children, 42 great grandchildren, and 25 with media coverage, spoke fondly of
great, great grandchildren whom she loves Mother Bell and her unique milestone.
dearly. “Whether they lived quiet lives as work-
ing people or traveled the world, they’re
Mother Eunice Bell was saved and bap- full of interesting information about how
tized in the Holy Spirit in 1966 at the First the world used to be. We’d all do well
to learn from them…I encourage us to
Born Church of the Living God on Monroe notice them more because older peo-
Street. In 1995, she became a member of ple – especially those who are 100 – are
Hope Chapel Ministries where she remains pretty invisible in this culture. As we see
faithful, determined, steadfast and totally more 100-year-olds, I’d like to see them
committed to the cause of Christ. be less invisible.”

14 LOH Magazine / February 2016