Ila Bell Hightower Renz, 96, of Devine, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 25, 2018.
Ila Bell was born in Bells, Texas on February 16, 1922 to John T. Hightower and Ada Jane Langston Johns. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Earl Hightower and Dale Hightower, and one sister Florence Lee Mae Hightower Rayner.
She is survived by her daughter Rita and husband James Davis; grandsons, Jaret and wife Sarah Lozano, Jimmy and wife Kathleen Davis; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Ila Bell and her family struggled greatly and survived the Great Depression; she was 7 years old when the stock market crashed.
Ila Bell accepted Jesus Christ at her Lord and Savior and was baptized in the Baptist Church at the age of 26 in Dallas, Texas. Her brother Dale and sister-in-law Louise Hightower were also baptized the same day.
Ila Bell was a Certified Nurse’s Aide for 14 years in San Antonio and Bandera Texas and also Denver Colorado and enjoyed nursing immensely. She loved caring for residents in nursing homes. She had a special knack for it. The kindness she showed residents was acknowledged by the family and loved ones she cared for.
During the time while living at the Devine Health and Rehabilitation Center she always enjoyed the church services that were held weekly for the residents. She especially enjoyed singing the religious hymns. When she first came to live at the nursing home she was not interested at all in playing games or bingo. Over time she came to love bingo and was always excited when she won. When it was “bingo time” she would make a beeline to the dining area to get her card and chips ready. The nursing staff would say“Don’t get in Ms. Ila’s path or slow her down when she was on her way to play bingo!”
She appointed herself as a volunteer to get the bibs handed out to the residents at all the meals. Getting coffee, tea or water for residents was also something she really liked doing. She always looked forward to a meal even when she was not feeling well and under the weather. She was always saying – “If you don’t eat you won’t live!”
Ila Bell lived a long and meaningful life and loved all members of her family and her dear friends. She will be truly missed.
Visitation will be Friday August 31, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel in Devine, Texas.
Funeral service will be Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hurley Funeral Home Chapel in Devine, Texas. Services will conclude at the funeral home.
The family has requested that memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences for the family, share memories or sign the guestbook may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas 78016, (830)663-4445.