Mary Alice (Bell) Cobb

Mary Alice (Bell) Cobb, 89, died peacefully at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community in Thomasville, North Carolina on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

She was born on Oct 26, 1935 to Ryland Dean Bell and Sara Elizabeth Harley in Suffolk, Virginia. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Suffolk and graduated from Suffolk High School, later attending Chowan College (now Chowan University) in Murfreesboro, North Carolina where she graduated with an associate's degree.

She began her working career at the Virginia Department of Transportation, at its corporate office in Suffolk. She held positions in design and planning and right-of-way acquisition and was highly regarded by her co-workers. She retired in 1992 after over 30 years of service.

Around 1994 she moved to the Willoughby Spit area on Chesapeake Bay, in Norfolk, Virginia. There, she continued part-time as a contractor for the Virginia DOT. And, more importantly, while there, would often very graciously open her home to many friends and all four sisters’ families, providing much beach-side enjoyment and many wonderful memories over those years.

In 2000, she moved to Thomasville, North Carolina to be closer to family. She became a member of First Baptist Church, Thomasville and actively volunteered for Meals on Wheels. She also continued to graciously open her home where her sisters and their families would often enjoy all visiting together.

In retirement, she took the opportunity to travel extensively to Europe and the Middle East as well several Caribbean cruises. She always traveled with friends or her sisters, building many wonderful memories. Additionally, she spent many hours researching her family genealogy, (both the Bell and the Harley lineages) so that her many nieces and nephews would have a better understanding of their family’s background and history.

She was a lifelong collector of antiques as well, and had some wonderful pieces; including beautiful artwork she’d bought during her many travels. She was also a lifelong cat-lover, having quite a few memorable (and entertaining) “cats of character” through the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and sisters Faye Beaver of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Carolyn Horne, of Suffolk, Virginia. She is survived by her sisters Anne Robbins of Thomasville (now residing in Concord, North Carolina) and Katherine Ross of Jefferson City, Tennessee, along with nieces Dena Ford of Harrisburg, North Carolina, Susan Czapieski of Greer, South Carolina, Sara Cole of Concord, North Carolina, Anne Suits of Greensboro, North Carolina, Mary Carolyn Ross Mills of Jefferson City, Tennessee, Jane Lehrbaum of Pompano Beach, Florida, Karen Severs of High Point, NC and nephew Trace Ross of Knoxville, Tennessee, along with many great nieces and nephews.

There will be a reception in her memory on Tuesday, April 15th from 3pm-5pm in the Gallery activity room at the Piedmont Crossing Retirement Community. All friends, family, and acquaintances are invited to attend. The address is 116 Boyce Sink Ct. in Thomasville.

There will be a private burial at Cedar Hills Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.