Mrs. Bell, Milan's Oldest Resident, Passes At 99

MRS. BELL, MILAN’S OLDEST RESIDENT, PASSES AT 99

MILAN—Mrs. Mary Dugray Bell, oldest resident of Milan, died this morning at her home, 136 First St., at the age of 99 after a three-day illness. She would have been 100 next Jan. 6.

The oldest daughter of Hubert and Salome Dugray, Mrs. Bell was born Jan. 6, 1849, in what is now the center of Detroit. In early childhood she moved with her family to Woodward Ave. and Six Mile Rd., then a rural area, and resided there until the death of her parents.

Husband Was Contractor

She was married to Daniel Bell Sept. 15, 1869, in Detroit and came with her husband to Milan in 1881. She watched the community grow from a cross-roads village into a thriving small city.

Her husband, a contractor and builder, died March 10, 1925.

Mrs. Bell was a member of the Methodist Church for nearly 80 years and remained active in church duties until her death.

A keen student of civic affairs, she voted regularly and was an avid newspaper reader. Interviewed on her 99th birthday this year, Mrs. Bell advised young people to “enjoy life” by having “varied interests.”

Two Daughters Survive

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Milo Fulcher, with whom she made her home, and Mrs. George Steidle, also of Milan.

Funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon from the Stevens & Bush Funeral Home in Milan, with Rev. William A. Johnson of the Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be made in Marble Park Cemetery.

Friends may call at the residence, until 11 o’clock Thursday morning.

IMAGE TEXT: Mrs. Mary Dugray Bell, Milan’s oldest resident, died this morning at the age of 99.