In honor of a fallen volunteer
Barger fetes Bell 6 years after she was killed
LANCASTER — Annie Margaret Bell was a dedicated, beloved active volunteer at the Antelope Valley Senior Center in Lancaster.
In May 2015, Bell was honored by former Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich for Older Americans Recognition Day for her 17 years of volunteer work at the senior center.
A few weeks later, Bell, who used a wheelchair, was stabbed to death in her sleep in the Lancaster home where she lived alone.
Bell served on the senior center’s board and was in charge of the center’s library. Supervisor Kathryn Barger and members of Bell’s family gathered Monday at the library to honor the octogenarian. Bishop Henry Hearns said a prayer at the ceremony.
“Today we are gathered at the library to which she gave so much love and time as a volunteer,” Barger said. “We are unveiling a plaque so that future generations of seniors will know who she is when they visit.”
Barger brought scrolls in memory of Bell: one to hang in the senior center and one for each of her children, Hallie Conley, James Conley and Margaret Hicks, all of whom attended the ceremony, and a surviving sister, Gladys Patterson, who could not be present, plus one for the Senior Center.
Bell’s granddaughter Lynette Renee Simmons did the opening remarks. Her daughter Margaret Hicks, son James Conley and granddaughter Zayda Hicks also were there.
Dignity Memorial, which owns Joshua Mortuary and Joshua Memorial Park, paid for the plaque, which was attached to a wall near the entrance to the library. The plaque is embossed with the message “In Appreciation & Recognition ANNIE MARGARET BELL For Her Dedication and Outstanding Service/Volunteer Services Antelope Valley Senior Center Library” and includes a photo of Bell.
Dignity Memorial also brought food for the gathering.