Mrs. Cynthia Marie Bell-Hayes

The season of Spring brings beautiful things. On May 3, 1962, Cynthia Marie Bell entered this world. Cynthia was the 7th addition to our family, a beautiful baby girl born to the union of Barbara and Johnnie Bell in Harvey, IL. Cynthia’s parents preceded her in death. A full-faith believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Cynthia accepted Christ at an early age. She was water baptized in the Holy Spirit at Great Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, Illinois. A few years later, she transitioned with her family to Greater Christian Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, Illinois. Cynthia was a sweet little girl filled with energy, joy, and enthusiasm. As an elementary school student, Cynthia was very active in school activities. Attending Horace Mann Elementary school in Robbins, IL, Cynthia starred in the 3rd grade production of ‘I Am Somebody”. At the age of 10, the family moved to Chicago, IL. This is when she met her best friend for life, Betty Lee-Hines, who preceded her in death. She attended W.E.B. DuBois Elementary School, graduating from 8th grade in 1976. From there, Cynthia attended George H. Corliss High School, graduating in the class of 1980. She loved music to the core of her soul and loved to dance. She enjoyed a wide range of musical genres, including R&B, Blues, Pop, and Soft Rock. Whenever she had extra money from babysitting neighborhood children, she would beam straight to the record store in Roseland to buy the latest Earth, Wind & Fire, The Emotions or Parliament LP that was out. She still maintains a large collection of vinyl LPs and 45s. Throughout the seventies, Cynthia loved playing softball with neighborhood friends. She was one of the best players in her age group and was often picked as one of the first girls to play when teams were being created. As a teenager, she starred in the play “Just Found Me”, facilitated by Greater Christian Unity Missionary Baptist Church, in conjunction with The Young And Up To Date Civic & Social Club. All funds raised were donated to the Mother’s Board. This play was based on the story of the prodigal son. Cynthia was also a coordinator for a fashion show for charity, On December 10, 1979, Cynthia brought her one and only child, Zene Bell, into the world. She was determined to provide a good life for her daughter with the best of everything, including annual vacations, just mother and daughter. She began her career at the Jewel-Osco grocery chain and worked her way up to Front Head Manager. Cynthia also had a strong desire to care for others and decided to focus on her educational goals to become a nurse. She attended Olive-Harvey College and Kennedy-King College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago. However, she began having health problems and had to discontinue her education. Cynthia decided to put her daughter and her health first. However, let’s not forget one of God’s creatures that he allowed Cynthia to pour her love on, Nicole (Nikki) Hughes, was her special daughter. Cynthia cared for Nikki with everything she had within her. In a sense, Nikki was Zene’s baby sister. She gave the girls the best Christmases, trips, school clothes, and birthdays they could have ever wished for. Cynthia was intentional in her heart, giving unconditionally in supporting Nikki and raising her as her own. The strength and love that God gave her to care for others is what true love is all about. Cynthia is true love. If we listed everything Cynthia did for others, we would run out of paper. Cynthia moved in silence. Cynthia had a passion for cooking and baking. Sweet potato pies, bread pudding, spaghetti, strawberry cakes, dressing, baked beans, and much more. Holidays and a family catering business, “Now Dhat’s Bar-b-que,” is where she showed her love through food. ”These are a few of her favorite things”: Pepsi, Oke-Doke popcorn, Jeopardy, Backgammon, Bid Whist, cats, and General Hospital. And if she felt you crossed her husband or family, you’d likely get the “side-eye”. On August 30, 1997, Cynthia was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Burgess M. Hayes. After the passing of her parents, Cynthia and Burgess decided to leave Chicago and head south. Through their travels and explorations, they chose great places to live like Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Texas, all better climates for her health. Everywhere they went, they met great people and made some wonderful friends who loved them both very much. Cynthia loved her family so much, but God loved her more. She leaves to cherish her memories, a husband Burgess M. Hayes; A daughter, Zene Bell; 3 grandchildren, Zambiana Bell, Sekour Bell, Zakia Bell; one great grandson, Chance Bell; 1 Step-daughter, Cierra Hayes; 3 sisters- Carole Garbutt of San Antoinio TX, Patricia Calloway of University Park, IL and Diana Brown of Loganville, GA; 2 brothers, Charles Bell of Orange Park FL; George Bell(Charlotte) of Frankfort, IL; One Brother-in-Law, Jeduan Hayes (Sharon) of Richton Park Il; a mother-in-law Inetta Hayes of Richton Park, IL; Sister-in-law, Teresa Hayes (Efrem) of Snellville GA; One Aunt, Leathe Parks of High Springs FL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Cynthia was preceded in death by her brother William Bell, and sisters Chery Bell-Thompson & Helene Lampkin.

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Mrs. Cynthia Marie Bell-Hayes

May 3, 1962 - April 21, 2025