Dorothy Ruth Bell, better known to family and friends as “Dot”, went home to the Lord on October 21, 2026. Born on January 25, 1931, to Harl Altman and Winnifred Smith in Frostproof, Florida. After moving to Hardee County in 1959, she made her living as a Director and ESE coordinator for the Hardee County School System. She was an extraordinary pianist and organist, most recently of the New Hope Baptist Church, loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play ball, and was an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays and FSU Football. She is preceded in death by both parents, as well as her husband Thurman Bell and her son Kenneth Bell. She is survived by her son Tom Bell (Glenda) of Punta Gorda, Florida; her daughter Donna Patterson (Laron) of Wauchula, Florida; her nieces Linda Stannage of Wauchula, Florida, Sylvia Larson of Winter Haven, Florida, and Gaila Adams of Wauchula, Florida. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at the New Hope Baptist Church at 2:30pm on Sunday, October 25, 2026, with funeral services starting at 3:00pm officiated by Reverend Kevin Roberts. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Music Ministry of New Hope Baptist Church.