Carolyn Patricia Leonard Bell was born May 24, 1934, in Chatsworth, Georgia and died on Feb. 25, 2017, in Thomaston, Georgia. She was one of eight children of Ike and Kate Leonard. She graduated from Murray County High School and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she met her husband Julius Edward Bell, of Moultrie, Georgia. They moved to Thomaston, Georgia in 1958 to begin their life together.
Pat was often known as Mrs. State Farm as she stood by her husband from the beginning of his career. She was the perfect hostess for countless State Farm functions and loved her State Farm family. This is where her famous pecan pie became so popular. Over the years, she made hundreds of pecan pies to share with family and friends.
Over the past nine months Pat had been anxiously awaiting a new chapter in her life, and on Saturday, Feb. 18, Pat became a great-grandmother with the arrival of Noah Groves Bradford. Noah Groves is a namesake for Pat as her mother was Flora Kate Groves Leonard.
Pat is survived by her three children, Richard (Dick) Bell and wife, Angie, of Stockbridge, Georgia, Debbie Bradford and husband, Roger, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Nancy McAbee and husband, Walt, of Concord, Georgia. She leaves behind six grandsons, Walter Rhett McAbee and wife, Cristy, Davis Nathaniel Bradford, William Edward Bell, Benjamin Groves Bradford and wife, Olivia, Thomas Cooper Bell, and Patrick Harris McAbee. She is also survived by one great-grandson, Noah Groves Bradford.
Funeral services will be held today at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Thomaston, Georgia with visitation two hours prior to the service in the church sanctuary.
The family would like to thank Thomaston Hospice for showing love and compassion and allowing us to honor our mom’s wishes of staying home during her last days. This would not have been possible without the support of our caregivers who became like our family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Special Project Fund, Glenda Stevens, 509 Cedarwood Lane, Thomaston, GA 30286 or to Thomaston Hospice Foundation, 512 S. Center St., Thomaston, GA 30286.
Coggins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
