Mrs. Senetta Hayes-Bell

This Obituary comes to you as a Courtsey of William Toney's Funeral Home:

Our beloved Mrs. Senetta Brooks Hayes-Bell (known to us all as (Tinsie) was called home on November 26, 2018.

Senetta was born in Spring Hope, North Carolina on December 1st, 1927 to the late Lillian Hayes Hauer.  Senetta was the first in her family to graduate from High School and College.  She attended Spaulding H.S. in Spring Hope, NC.  With the love and support of the Wiggins family, Senetta went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from North Carolina Central University.  She was an active alumni member of both her high school and the university.

She was the President of the NCCU Alumni Association where she was the President of her New York Chapter whereby she served for several years. During Senetta’s leadership, she ensured multiple fund raisers were held to continue her alumni engagement.  Due to her loyalty to NCCU, in 1999, she was inducted into the Society of Golden Eagles for her years of service.  She attended yearly to Founder’s Day Convocation (Homecoming) where she would attend with her best friends Atlea Robinson and Angela Shaw.  Being from the Deep South, Senetta understood the importance of education and equal opportunity for minorities. She financially supported the Veterans Association due to her husband’s years of service.

Senetta has always had The Lord in her life where in her younger years she was a Sunday school teacher.  She bought the NCCU touring choir to Salem Missionary Baptist Church.  Where she was a member for over 40 years with Salem Missionary and she made sure all her children were baptized at church.  She would help cook for different events at Salem. 

While residing in Brooklyn, she worked as a Bridal Assistant at the Park Manor Catering Hall.  After several years at Park Manor she then became a Daycare Teacher at the Jonathan Williams Daycare Center, where she taught for almost 30 years and eventually retired from.

Senetta had a passion for cooking and baking for her family and friends.  She enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables and making preserves.  She also enjoyed crocheting, where she made bedspreads, candleholders, baby blankets, baby clothes and embellished linens.  She had a love for music, history, English and Reading. She was her own financial advisor and accountant.  Senetta was often revered by her friends and family in her financial business savvy.  She was a very loving and caring person who always thought of her family and others before herself and was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed.  She was her children’s biggest supporter and cheerleader. She also was also the most loving and endearing Grandmother.  She hosted many family and friend gatherings filed with love, laughs, and plenty of good food.  Senetta loved to receive birthday cards and flowers where she would have them proudly on display in her home.  She was a woman of style and culture where she loved taking her children to Broadway shows and plays.  She and her husband enjoyed social dancing events. 

She was preceded in death by her Mother Lillian Hayes-Hauer, her husband Floyd M. Bell, Sr. and her sister Frances Hayes-Davis.  She leaves to cherish her memory; her children Senetta Bell Thomas (Bebe), Maxine Bell, Floyd Bell (Junior), Carlton Bell, daughter-in law Latoya Bell and Mattie and Otto Hayes who she helped raised and claimed as her own.  Grandchildren – Juanita Bell, LaKesha Thomas, Jaclyn Thomas, John Thomas Jr. Latoya Thomas, Adam Thomas, James Thomas, Victoria Bell, and Matthew Bell.  Her great-grandchildren; Justin Thomas, Jasmin Thomas, Jordan Thomas, Aalana Thomas, Aariel Thomas, Trinity Thomas, Shanellee Thomas, Jada Thomas and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in Brooklyn,NY at Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Arrangements were handled by Frank Bell Funeral Home in Brooklyn, NY

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