Josephine C. Bell, PhD

A native of Columbus, Georgia, Dr. Josephine C. Bell is the older of two daughters born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Willie L. Crawford. She attended the public schools in Columbus and graduated from Spencer High School with honors. She received the bachelor of arts degree in music education/voice from Talladega college in 1961 and continued her education in music education with emphasis in voice from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the doctor of philosophy from Kansas State University with high honors. 

Dr. Bell joined the faculty at Arkansas AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) in 1963 and progressed in professorial rank from instructor to full professor. During her 13-year reign as department chair, she was instrumental in moving the department to another level by acquiring funding to house a 13 electronic keyboard lab, a nine-foot grand piano for the Fine Arts Auditorium and three upright Baldwin classroom pianos. 

With her desire to expand the knowledge of young children and youth in music technology, she forged a partnership with the 34th Avenue Performing Arts School in Pine Bluff which brought the elementary pupils to the Music Department for hands on activities in the computer lab. Moreover, she co-authored a grant, Academic Enrichment for the Gifted in Summer (AEGIS) for junior high students throughout the state that was funded by the state department for four consecutive summers (which she directed from 1996-1999). In 2000 and 2001, Dr. Bell coordinated two successful symposia on the music of African American composers, funded by a grant from the Arkansas Arts Council. She directed and organized the faculty/staff chorale at UAPB from 1995-1999.

Under Dr. Bell’s leadership, the Music Department received its first ten-year re-accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the accrediting agency for music. Also approved was an emphasis area of the music degree - sound recording and technology. She continued the development and strengthening of the Department which included: an organized string ensemble, curricula expansion, hiring of scholarly faculty, three faculty members approved for sabbaticals to pursue doctoral study, and the Music Department grew from 30 majors to nearly one hundred. 

Dr. Bell has published several articles and written a number of funded grants. Some of her professional and community organizations include president of Arkansas Association of Schools of Music and vice president of Arkansas Music Education Association. She was appointed by Governor Beebe to the State Library Board and was a member of the Pine Bluff Leadership Board and Jefferson County Library Board. She was named by the Arkansas Music Educators Association to the Hall of Fame and was Teacher of the Year at UAPB. Dr. Bell was the Director of Music at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Socially, she is a member of Delta Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated where she attained Golden status in 2018. She was also a member of the Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links Incorporated where she attained Platinum status in 2018. 

A mezzo – soprano, Dr. Bell has performed as a recitalist and soloist for many civic, social, and religious events throughout the state and beyond. She retired in June of 2003, after more than four decades of professional service at the university. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dr. James R. Bell. Those left to cherish her loving memory include her three children – Bruce I. Bell (Mary) of Arkadelphia, AR, Kimbra Bell Balark, MD(Sam) of Lemont, Illinois, and Kandice Bell, Esq. of White Hall, AR. She is also survived by four grandchildren Kristin Bell, Kamryn Bell, Alexandria Balark, and Sam Balark Jr. Dr. Bell is also survived by her sister, Rose Jackson of Detroit, Michigan, and nephews Eric and Kent Jackson, among numerous other cousins residing across the country. 

Her memorial service was held on June 11, 2024 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options in Schiller Park, Illinois.