St. John, Huntsville Honors Deaconess Sarah Davis “Granny” Bell
By B. Johnson, 9th Episcopal District
Aging in the Bible is said to be a sign of experience. The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly. Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
The Bible also presents growing older as a normal and natural part of life in this world. There is honor involved in the aging process because growing old is normally accompanied by increased wisdom and experience.
Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” God wants us to remember that life is short and the beauty of youth is soon gone.
Sunday, May 5, 2019, was a historical moment in the life of St. John AME Church in Huntsville. The church celebrated the 100thbirthday of Deaconess Sarah Davis “Granny” Bell. The church was filled to capacity with family, friends, and church members. Deaconess Bell, who herself proclaims to be everyone’s Granny, was shown the love and respect so earnestly and richly deserved. Everyone calls her Granny Bell, from the youngest member to the oldest. The Rev. Maurice Wright, II, the servant pastor of St. John, stated that upon his arrival at St. John, she introduced herself and declared that she was his Granny as well and to call her “Granny Bell.”
She is a living witness of loving your neighbor. Granny Bell loves everyone and demonstrates that love to everyone she encounters. She greets everyone with a warm, loving hug even if meeting them for the first time. She has met a lot of people during her more than 86 years as a member of St. John and continues to love on all of the members. She remains active and involved. She still drives and is at Sunday School every Sunday she feels up to coming, which is often. Her memory is sharp, as she can remember family linages with names. Her one and only grandson, Mr. John Humphrey, spoke on her behalf and said the same things about his grandmother that the church had already experienced, including that she loves everyone she meets.
The occasion was further highlighted with many proclamations and resolutions. The St. John’s Stewardess Board, which had been named in her honor on her 99thbirthday, honored her with a huge card and a vase of roses. There was a proclamation from the Honorable Anthony Daniels, the state representative for District 53, recognizing her birthday and wishing her well. There was a proclamation from the Honorable Tommy Battle, the mayor of Huntsville, Alabama, designating Sunday, May 5, 2019, as “Mrs. Sarah Davis Bell Day” in Huntsville. The Rt. Rev. Harry L. Seawright, the presiding prelate of the 9thEpiscopal District of the AME Church sent his well wishes in the form of a proclamation.
St. John members stood collectively as the resolution from the church was read honoring Deaconess Sarah Davis “Granny” Bell on her steadfast, faithful, and loyal commitment to God and the church. Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., the president of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University presented his proclamation, calling “Granny Bell” “Mrs. Basketball” for her love and dedication to the Alabama A&M basketball teams. He had nothing but glowing words of admiration for Deaconess Bell.
To commemorate this event and establish her legacy in Huntsville, Alabama, the Rev. Wright presented Deaconess Bell, on behalf of St. John, with a brick paver on the Normalite Walkway at Alabama A&M University in honor of her 100thbirthday. The paver will be located in the Central Circle for Gold Sponsors. The presentations concluded with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by the entire congregation.
The worship service was followed by a birthday reception with a botanical theme seeing Deaconess Bell’s fondness for flowers and flower gardens. The vestibule of the church was elaborately decorated with flowers, birdhouses, fountains, wreaths, flowered garlands, and streamers. There were vases of roses, pails of wildflowers, and swags of flowers which draped the stair rails. As members passed through the receiving line and wished her happy birthday, 100 birthday cards were left for her to cherish the memory of this special occasion.
