Ms. LaTonya Benita Bell

Celebrating The Life Of LaTonya Benita Bell: Latonya Benita Bell was known to most as Tonya. She was the second child born on June 16, 1962 to her late parents, Robert George Sr. and Emma Lee Bell (Stovall). She had three siblings, Robert George Bell Jr. (whom she affectionately referred to as, “My Brother”), the late Ralph Gregory Bell, and Shoulanda Bell. Tonya earned her high school diploma from Northeastern High School in 1980. She went on to earn her Associate Degree from Highland Park Community College in 1990. She recently return to school to earn her Bachelors Degree, as her dream was to one day be an attorney. Tonya had three loving children, Latoya Emmalee Bell-Nesbitt, Gregory Jamal Nesbitt (whom preceded her in death), and Cydney Michelle Robinson. Due to Tonya’s big heart and caring nature, God blessed her with an additional child to love, Devon Chao Darius Bell. If you didn’t know her children, you felt like you did, as she had many stories of their comical personalities and quick-wit. Tonya confessed her love for Christ. Even through her journey to recovery she would attend church services in the rehabilitation center. She said she loved the services because, “the pastor didn’t go on and on.” At the time of her illness, Tonya worked as a Court Clerk for Wayne County Third Circuit Court since 1996. She was the adored Court Clerk for the Honorable David A. Groner. It was stated she was the only person that could “keep him in line.” Tonya was an avid sports buff. Football… Basketball…. She was there. Screaming, calling fouls, just short of holding her crouch. She was a world renowned Scrabble player, in her mind at least. Always talking smack, stating “you don’t want none.” She enjoyed listening to Anita Baker and reading. She could cook her butt off, as evident by the many people who continued to dawn her doorstep for a meal. Tonya’s most acclaimed hobby, was meeting people and touching their lives. She met no strangers. If you knew Tonya, you loved her, as her charismatic spirit and beautiful smile would draw you to her. Tonya fought a long fight, determined that she was going home, and she did on July 17, 2015.

Ms. LaTonya Benita Bell

June 16, 1962 - July 17, 2015