Martha Clark Bell

Martha Clark Bell, 94, of Midlothian, VA, died January 5, 2026. Born and raised on the family farm in Buckingham County, VA, she was the daughter of the late William Baker Clark, Sr. and Louise Graham Clark. She was preceded in death by husband, Lawrence Bell, Jr.; son, John Bell; brother, William Clark, Jr.; and sister, Ann Howe. Martha is survived by son, Daniel Bell (Maureen); and grandsons, MAJ Jaymes Bell (Hillary) and David Bell (Haley). She also leaves behind five great-grandchildren, Jack, Mary, Lance, Kelly, and Audrey; as well as sister-in-law, Jean Clark; nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Martha earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Westhampton College - University of Richmond, a master's degree in English from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Relocating several times, her career included teaching high school Spanish in Colorado, Virginia (Thomas Dale and Waynesboro High Schools, as well as in Warrenton) and New York, college English in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and adult ESL. She received numerous awards and accolades as student and teacher. Martha also participated in several successful US Congressional campaigns while in New Hampshire.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, appreciated immensely for carefully selecting, wrapping, and mailing presents to every family member for every occasion. Martha's strengths included her constant wit, fierce independence, various forms of art, piano playing, sewing, sudoku puzzles and baking the best pecan pies. She loved discussing current events with her son Dan and closely following the successes of her grandsons and their families.

The Bell family is very grateful for the exceptional care provided to Martha by Bon Secour Hospice nurses and by ServeRVA caregivers.

A graveside service was held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Sunset Memorial Park, in Chester, VA.

In remembrance of Martha's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.