ELLA VIRGINIA ACREE BARCUS BELL, 90, of
Austin, TX passed away Sept. 28, 2004.
Virginia was born Feb. 3, 1914 in Moody, TX, the
third child of Fred Acree & Anna Byrd McLeod Acree.
Virginia, known as ”Snooks” to family and friends,
was raised, along with her brother and sister, in
Moody and Waco before attending Ranger Jr. College
and graduating from Southwestern University in
Georgetown, TX. After graduation, Virginia taught
school in Ranger before marrying John McFerrin
Barcus, an attorney from Georgetown, who also
graduated from Southwestern University. Virginia
& John moved to Austin, working and raising their
family until John Barcus’ death in 1959. Virginia
taught school in Austin for 25 years at Metz and
Ridgetop Elementary Schools. She was a wonderful
teacher and was much loved by her students, their
parents and her student teachers. After her retire-
ment, She married Spurgeon E. Bell, a distinguished
Judge and professor at South Texas College of Law.
Virginia & Spurgeon enjoyed over 20 years of marriage,
living in Houston but never losing touch with Austin.
After Spurgeon’s death in 1996, she returned to Austin
to live near her children and grandchildren.
Virginia was generous, funny & feisty. She loved social
gatherings and she and Spurgeon enjoyed attending Bar
Association meetings. Virginia and Spurgeon loved to
travel and made numerous trips to Europe & the Far East.
Virginia was a lifelong member of the United Methodist
Church and of Delta Delta Delta sorority where she had
deep roots and many friends. She was active in University
United Methodist Church while raising her family and
recently has been a member at Tarrytown United Methodist
Church. Virginia was also a staunch and devoted Democrat
and not at all hesitant to let anyone know how she felt
about politics.
Her parents, Fred and Anna Byrd Acree, her brother, Fred
Acree, Jr., her husband, John Barcus and her husband,
Spurgeon Bell preceded Virginia in death.
She is survived by her sister, Kathryn Allison, her
children, Laura McCowan, Mary Margaret Wells and her
husband Joe, Jeannie Strange and her husband Tom, her
grandchildren, Jack McCowan, Jennifer Wells Childers
and her husband Cecil, Dr. Joe Wells, III and his wife
Becky, John Wells and his wife Debra, Linda Virginia
Strange, Mary Ruth Strange Howard and her husband Chris,
and her great grandchildren, Caroline and Sarah Wells,
Claire and Ben Childers, Sam, Anna Kate, and Phoenix
Wells, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also
survived by her stepchildren, Sally Bell Rutherford,
Alice Bell Smith, Spurgeon Bell, Jr. & their children
and grandchildren. Virginia also leaves behind many
friends that she loved and who were devoted to her.
She will be deeply missed by all her family & friends.