Ruth Ryan Bell

BELL, RUTH RYAN (1918~2003) Ruth Ryan Bell, wife of Harvey Carroll "Dulie" Bell, was born January 21, 1918, in Caldwell, Texas, to William Hancock and Nena Waller Ryan. She was the youngest of three children and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1936.

After graduation, Ruth moved to Austin and worked for the State Board of Education, which is now called the Texas Education Agency, and married fellow Caldwell High School graduate, Harvey Carrol "Dulie" Bell on June 6, 1942, in San Antonio.

Shortly after their marriage, Dulie, who was serving in the U. S. Army, was sent oversees, where he participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France. He was wounded on June 9, 1944, the same day Ruth gave birth to their daughter, Carolyn.

Following Dulie's return to the United States and discharge from the Army, the Bells remained in Austin, where Ruth was a member of the Helping Hand Society and helped Dulie get his new business, Central Texas Equipment Company, started.

Ruth, a 60-year resident of Austin, passed away on September 19, 2003.

Information provided by: Mr. H. C. "Dulie" Bell, Jr.