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 MayRee
Harrison Bell (Mrs. Merton R. Bell) was born in 1914 in Dallas, Texas.
Her family moved to
Abilene, Texas when she was 10. There, she graduated valedictorian from
Abilene High School, having also been a champion debate contestant and
cast member of a state champion one-act play.
She graduated in 1935 from Abilene
Christian College magna cum laude with a degree in public speaking. In
December of that year, she married Merton R. Bell, who would remain her
devoted husband for 67 years.
Mrs. Bell's professional career was
primarily that of a teacher, having taught in several West Texas school
districts, and capped off with a 20-year tenure at Highland Park Junior
High School in Dallas. There she taught English, Dramatics, and
eventually became Activities Director of the school.
In 1974, she retired from teaching to
devote all of her time to her passion of collecting and marketing
antique china. She and her husband ran The China Cupboard until
July of 2002. During much of that time, she had one of the largest
collections of antique Haviland dinnerware in America.
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