Lanelle Gell

Visitation:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
10:00 AM until 12:00 PM
Red Oak Funeral Home
120 N. Hwy. 342
Red Oak, TX 75165
Service:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
3:00 PM
Red Oak Funeral Home
120 N. Hwy. 342
Red Oak, TX 75165

LaNelle Gell
May 19, 1924
April 29, 2009


Retired City of Dallas employee, LaNelle Gell, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2009 after a long struggle with Alzheimers. Gell was born in Cleburne, Texas on May 19, 1924 and was a long-time resident of Oak Cliff.

Gell completed all her schooling and graduated from Cleburne High School in 1942. Her dad, William Joyce Rigden, a mechanic, worked as a senior Master Sergeant on Army Bi-Planes at Ellington Field during World War I. As a child, LaNelle's father worked for the Santa Fe railroad, which allowed the family to ride a pass and travel during the depression years, including a memorable visit to the Chicago World's Fair. She later attracted the attention of a handsome, young Army Second Lieutenant during her senior year. He courted her in a big yellow convertible, attracting the attention of all the young ladies in the small town of Cleburne. They were married later that year at the Army Air Corp Chapel, Foster Field, Victoria, Texas. After his return from overseas during World War II, they made their home in Austin, where he was employed by the University of Texas.

Her husband, Edwin Alan Gell, CPA, became the first business manager of the Southwestern Medical School. After his untimely death in 1963, she worked for the Dallas Morning News for several years in the Research Department, helping well-known Texas author Frank Tolbert on many, many occasions. She also worked at Parkland Hospital and the Southwestern Medical School library. She later took a position with the City of Dallas Water Department and retired as a Payroll Clerk from the Municipal Center.

She was committed to her Christian faith and was a long-time member of the Oak Cliff Assembly of God church, having taught children's church classes, Sunday School classes, and being a part of women's ministries. She was also a supporter and helped at Christ For The Nations Institute bible school in its early years. Gell was known for her support of children and teenager's activities, whether through churches or public school. She served as a Den Mother with the Cub Scouts, chaperoned at the skating rink at First Baptist Church, assisted with Brownie scouts and Camp Fire girls, PTA room mother at Margaret Henderson and Jefferson Davis elementary schools, and Stockard Junior High. She opened her home for church activities on a regular basis. She was a key supporter of fund-raising for band uniforms when Kimball High School first opened.

She is survived by son ALAN GELL of Red Oak (former publisher of the Ellis County Chronicle), daughter SUZANNE FITZSIMMONS of Houston, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the Red Oak Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10:00 am to 12:00 am Saturday morning. Burial will follow in Cleburne, Texas.