Myrtle "Louise" Rhoden Bell passed away on Monday, April 2, 2012. Louise was born in Prague, Arkansas on November 30, 1926. Louise was the youngest daughter of John Wylie and Myrtle Davis Rhoden of Sheridan, Arkansas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her four sisters: Bernice, Mabel, Lela, Irene; her three brothers: Louis, Rommie & WJ; her husband, Hugh Bell and her daughter, Lynne Kirkham.
Louise attended school in Los Angeles, California and afterward returned home to Arkansas where she married Major Charles Kirkham and began her family with her daughters, Patricia and Lynne.
Throughout her husband Charles' military career, Louise was extremely active on the military post. She was Vice President of the Officers' Wives Club and maintained positions on the Generals' Hail and Farewell Committee. Louise always thrived on the latest fashion trends and this continued as she trained models and created successful military fashion shows.
Louise traveled to Germany, Italy and the Bahamas and lived in a number of cities throughout the United States. Louise lived in New York City for thirteen years with her second husband, Hugh Bell, as his investment and brokerage firm led them to Manhattan and Park Avenue.
In 2006, Louise was the recipient of the Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award in recognition of her contribution towards a safer, more just America. The Sharp Award is presented to attorneys and clients whose cases tell the story of American civil justice and help educate state and national policy makers and the public about the importance of consumers' rights. The award honors Americans who have suffered injury or death as a result of defective products. Louise was perhaps the first patient injured by Vioxx who sought legal counsel to hold Merck accountable & helped expose to the public Vioxx's hidden dangers.
Louise felt blessed with life-long friends like Marge Sharp & Delores Ketch and with the love from her 'adopted' children Lisa Gerber and Mikki Gries. During the past sixteen years, Louise enjoyed the companionship of her significant other, Steven Sabanos.
Louise leaves behind her daughter, Patricia Jordan & Tony Schoch, her son David & daughter-in-law Nancy Bell, granddaughter Laura & son-in-law Craig Wall, grandson Chris and daughter-in-law Lisa Taylor, granddaughter Brooke & son-in-law Chad Willis, granddaughter Maya Bell & nine great-grandchildren Olivia & Evan Wall, Allison & Ryan Taylor, Colter & Coy Willis and Faith, Megan & Madison Gordon.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until service time.