Bell, Geneva Howard (1905-2013) Photograph Collection, ca. 1903-2005
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Bell, Geneva Howard, 1905-2013
Title: Photograph Collection, ca. 1903-2005
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these photographs, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 1 cu. ft.
Location Number: 015PC6
Scope and Content Note
This photograph collection documents the later years of the life of Geneva Howard Bell, including birthday celebrations for her, her husband Dr. Jesse B. Bell, and her sister Gertrude Lively, family gatherings, and social events. The collection also contains a small group of photographs of members of her immediate family in various stages of their lives.
Related Collections:
Geneva H. Bell Textile Collection [2015.28]
Geneva H. Bell Museum Collection [2024.17.1-4]
Bell, Jesse Burnett, 1904-1998. Papers, 1924-1998 [Mss. A B443]
Bell, Jesse Burnett Museum Collection [2024.16.1-6]
Biographical Note
Geneva Howard Bell (1905-2013) was born in Paducah, Kentucky, to Edward G. Howard and Jennie Howard. She received her early education in the Jefferson County Public Schools system. Upon graduating, Geneva studied at the Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she began her education path. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Cincinnati and her master’s degree from Indiana University.
Geneva launched her teaching career at Kentucky State College (now KSU) as an associate professor of education overseeing elementary student teachers. She then returned to Louisville, where she taught in elementary schools and later became an elementary school counselor.
On December 9, 1935, Geneva married Dr. Jessie Burnett Bell (1904-1998), the first African American physician at Jewish Hospital. Their sixty-two-year marriage was marked by a love of travel and entertainment, and a strong commitment to charitable work and community service. Geneva’s significant contributions include being a charter member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Alumnae Chapter, co-founding the Louisville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and serving as president of The Women’s Guild. She also held positions on the boards of the Family and Children’s Agency and Louisville Metro United Way, volunteered for the Louisville Heart Association, and was involved with the Louisville Mutual Saving Loan Association. Geneva was an active member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church throughout her life.
Geneva dedicated her remarkable life of 108 years to serving her community, particularly those in West Louisville, and working alongside her husband to ensure low-income children had access to health education and care.
Folder List
Folder 1: Mrs. Geneva Howard Bell, 1903-1998
- Includes photographs of Geneva Howard Bell and her family including Dr. Jesse B. Bell (husband), Edward Howard (father), Jennie Howard (mother), Willie Stansbrough (grandfather), Gerturde Howard Lively (sister), and William Howard (brother)
Folder 2: Dr. Jesse B. Bell, 1954-2000
- Includes photographs of Dr. Jesse Burnett Bell and his family. Of note are photographs documenting awards, the dedication of Dr. Bell’s Library at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, and his interview with the Louisville Courier-Journal
Folder 3: Miscellaneous family and friend individual photographs, 1984-2001
- Includes photographs of friends and family and various identified and unidentified individuals. Featured are C.H. Thompson, Elmer Lucille Allen. Hattie Marie Morton, and Thelma Morton Hammonds
Folder 4: Miscellaneous family and friend individual photographs, 1998-2005
- Includes photographs of friends and family and various identified and unidentified individuals. Featured are Charles M. Dunlap, Elmo C. Dunlap, Dr. Maurice Rabb, Jr., and David Marshall Weiss
Folder 5: Family and friend events and group photographs, 1984-2001
- Includes group photographs of identified and unidentified friends and family at events, parties, and family gatherings. Featured are Frank L. Stanley, Sr., Villian Stanley, and Dr. Jesse B. Bell
Folder 6: Family and friend events and group photographs, 1984-2001 (continued)
- Includes group photographs of identified and unidentified friends and family at events, parties, and family gatherings. Featured are Dr. Jesse B. Bell, Thelma Morton Hammonds, and Hattie Marie Morton
Folder 7: Geneva H. Bell’s Birthday – Lily’s Restaurant, ca. 2002-2003
Folder 8: Geneva H. Bell’s 99th Birthday – Treyton Oak Towers, December 9, 2004
Folder 9: Geneva H. Bell’s 100th Birthday – Treyton Oak Towers, December 9, 2005
Folder 10: Geneva H. Bell’s Birthday, ca. 2006-2007
Folder 11: Dr. Jesse B. Bell’s 87th Birthday, April 1989
Folder 12: Dr. Jesse B. Bell’s Birthday – Jefferson Club, April 20, 1990
Folder 13: Dr. Jesse B. Bell’s 90th Birthday, April 4, 1994
Folder 14: Gertrude Howard Lively’s Birthday, July 1998
Folder 15: Gertrude Howard Lively’s Birthday Luncheon, July 20, 1998
Subject Headings
Activism.
African Americans.
Allen, Elmer Lucille
Bell, Geneva Howard, 1905-2013.
Bell, Jesse Burnett, 1904-1998.
Birthdays.
Entertainers.
Hammonds, Thelma Morton, 1904-2008.
Links, Inc.
Louisville (KY.)
Morton, Hattie Marie, 1919-2018.
Parties.
Teachers.